Yet another woman was brutally killed, allegedly by her boyfriend, in the early hours of Friday, 30 May. Lunghile Chauke (28), a Telkom sales agent based in Malamulele, was stabbed to death in her rented room in Section A, Malamulele.
Chauke, a mother of two, was originally from Ndengeza village near Giyani. Her family believes the killing was premeditated, alleging that her boyfriend had earlier sent her a WhatsApp message with a picture of a gun.
The suspect, Nyiko Nkuna (34), briefly appeared in the Malamulele Magistrate's Court on a charge of murder. His case was postponed to Wednesday, 4 June, when he is expected to apply for bail.
Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba said the suspect had visited Chauke early that morning. Shortly after his arrival, neighbours heard a commotion and the victim screaming for help.
"When the neighbours arrived at the victim's room, the suspect fled the scene. The neighbours discovered the victim's lifeless body in a pool of blood, with multiple stab wounds on her upper body, as well as the sharp object suspected to have been used to commit the heinous crime. They then notified the police and paramedics. The emergency personnel services, upon arrival, certified the victim dead at the scene," said Col Ledwaba.
He added that the suspect was found shortly afterwards hiding in nearby bushes, with minor injuries. He was taken to hospital under police guard.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lt-Gen Thembi Hadebe, condemned the incident and urged couples facing domestic difficulties to seek professional help.
Family spokesperson and the deceased's elder brother, Nhlamulo Chauke, said news of the attack had come as a shock. He said Lunghile had mentioned that the relationship had been abusive and that she had wanted to leave. The family had not supported the relationship, fearing for her safety.
Her funeral is scheduled to take place at the Ndengeza village graveyard in Giyani on Saturday, 7 June.