News24 | Mpumalanga police investigate three GBV incidents that resulted in multiple deaths

Mpumalanga police are investigating three horrifying cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in the province, which have left communities grieving.

•  A 22-year-old woman was fatally stabbed during a domestic dispute in Masoyi, with the suspect now in police custody.
• In Vosman, a domestic violence complaint uncovered a murder-suicide involving a woman fatally shot allegedly by her partner, who then turned the weapon on himself.
• A man suspected of killing his wife and two children in Boekenhouthoek allegedly took his own life before he could be apprehended.

Mpumalanga police are investigating three horrifying cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in the province, which have left communities grieving.

The incidents – in Masoyi, Vosman, and Boekenhouthoek – have resulted in the deaths of two women, two children, and one male suspect.

The first incident occurred on Monday morning around 07:30 at Jerusalem Trust in Masoyi, near a local tavern. A 22-year-old woman was fatally stabbed by her male friend, aged 26, during a domestic altercation.

According to police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Jabu Ndubane, the victim was discovered on the front lawn of the suspect’s home with multiple stab wounds to her neck.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) declared her dead at the scene.

“The suspect’s father informed police that his son had stabbed his girlfriend during a domestic argument,” Ndubane said.

“He further indicated that the suspect was hiding in a locked room.”

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Ndubane said officers managed to gain access to the room, where they found the man, who had also sustained injuries.

He was placed under arrest for murder and taken to a nearby hospital under police guard. He is expected to appear in court soon.

The second incident took place on Sunday evening in Vosman.

Ndubane said police responded to a domestic violence complaint and were led to a back room by the homeowner. Officers discovered the body of a woman lying on a bed with a gunshot wound to the chest. They also found a man lying on the floor with a gunshot wound to the head.

“He was still gasping for air, with a firearm lying beside him,” Ndubane said.

Paramedics were called to the scene and certified both the man and woman dead.

Ndubane said preliminary investigations suggest that the man shot the woman before turning the weapon on himself.

“Police have since opened a case of murder and an inquest.”

The third incident involved a 37-year-old man who was wanted for the murders of his wife and two children in Boekenhouthoek, Kwaggafontein.

He allegedly killed himself before he could be arrested.

According to Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Moeti Mmusi, the bodies of 32-year-old Lucia Thembisile Mashiyane and her children, 7-year-old Bokamoso and 4-year-old Karabo Ngele, were discovered on 4 October.

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On Friday morning, police received a tip-off from the suspect’s uncle, who said that his nephew had confessed to killing his wife and children by setting them alight inside a vehicle at Zithabiseni Bridge.

“Upon reaching the scene, police found a charred vehicle and the severely burned remains of the three victims,” Mmusi said.

“Authorities swiftly activated the 72-hour action plan to expedite the investigation while launching an intense search for the 37-year-old suspect.”

He said the suspect was later located at his grandparents’ home in Boekenhouthoek in a distressing condition, foaming at the mouth.

Despite the immediate arrival of emergency services, the man died at the scene.

“Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspect ingested poison,” said Mmusi.

Police have opened a case involving three counts of murder and an inquest docket.

Acting provincial police commissioner Major-General Zeph Mkhwanazi strongly condemned the acts of violence.

“These incidents are a painful reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence. We appeal to all community members to seek help when faced with domestic challenges instead of resorting to violence,” he said.