A resident of Thengwe-Mutangula is facing a charge of murder after allegedly stabbing his estranged wife to death in a jealous rage after reportedly finding her with another man.
The incident occurred at around 01:50 on Sunday, 27 April. The acting spokesperson for the Vhembe SAPS, W/O Vuledzani Dathi, said the police had responded to a call and, on arrival at the village in the Mutale area, had found the body of a woman lying in the street. She had two stab wounds to the forehead and was lying in a pool of blood.
According to the police, the man returned home and allegedly found his wife in bed with another man. "When they realised that they were caught, both ran away," said Dathi. The woman is believed to have returned home later and was then allegedly confronted and stabbed in the street by her husband.
The deceased was identified as 38-year-old Ms Vhutshilo Nefuranyele of Thengwe-Mutangula.
Dathi confirmed that the suspect was arrested on Tuesday, 29 April, and was scheduled to appear in the Mutale Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, 30 April, on a charge of murder.
The deceased's elder brother, Mr Avhurengwi Nefuranyele, said the family was traumatised by the killing. He attributed the attack to jealousy, saying the couple had separated some time ago and that the relationship had left his sister deeply depressed.
He also disputed the police's version of events. "This is not true," he said, referring to claims that his sister was caught in her husband's house. "The incident happened at my sister's house. The suspect should have left her alone in her home and accepted that the relationship had ended."
A local community leader, Mr Khodani Mudanalwo, condemned the incident, saying that violence against women and children must stop.
The suspect was identified as Lucky Makonyololo from Thengwe village.