A 35-year-old man, Shadrack Sithole, was arrested by the Masisi police after he had allegedly killed his wife by hacking her with a panga. The incident occurred at Mukovha Wa Bale village near Muswodi-Dipeni in the Niani area on Wednesday, 9 July, at around midday.
Sithole appeared in the Masisi Periodical Court on Friday, 11 July, and was remanded in custody. He is expected to appear in court again on Tuesday, 15 July, to allow him time to secure legal representation and apply for bail.
According to Vhembe SAPS spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi, officers were carrying out their routine duties when they were alerted to the incident by community members. "They proceeded to the area and, on arrival, found a female deceased lying in a pool of blood with a deep wound to her neck," he said.
Preliminary information indicated that Sithole and the deceased, identified as 35-year-old Mashudu Tshikhudo, were husband and wife. The two were allegedly drinking sorghum beer at a local shebeen when Sithole suddenly accused his wife of infidelity. "He then left and returned with a panga, which he used to strike her once in the neck. She died instantly," said Dathi.
"It is further indicated that after he finished his evil deeds, he tried to flee, but the police were already activated and one step ahead of him. He was located and arrested. The suspect will appear in the Masisi Periodical Court in due course. Police investigations continue."
A community leader in Mukovha Wa Bale, Mr Thabelo Nepfumbada, condemned the killing. "It is very disturbing to find that men, who are supposed to help and protect their families, turn out to be abusers and killers of their loved ones.
"As community members, we will strongly oppose the bail application as soon as he applies for bail. We want to send a clear message to other men who continue to abuse women and children to stop it. No one has the power to take another person's life, regardless of how angry they are," said Nepfumbada.