The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has warned community members across the province to stop resorting to violence and instead seek professional assistance when faced with domestic challenges, following an incident in which a 24-year-old suspect severely assaulted his alleged girlfriend aged 30, stole her cash and cellphones at Mamojela park Informal settlement in the Lephalale policing area on Sunday, 5 June 2022 at about 23:10.
The suspect allegedly arrived at the victim’s home and started to attack and threaten to burn her inside the shack.
The victim managed to escape and ran to the neighbours to seek help but the suspect followed her and upon arrival, he assaulted her with a sharp object where she sustained serious injuries.
The victim was then assisted by the community members who then called the Police. When the police arrived, the suspect had already fled the scene.
Preliminary investigations have indicated that the suspect stole cash and two cellphones from the victim. Further investigations revealed that the victim had a protection order against the suspect.
The suspect was arrested on 6 June 2022 at about 18:45 at his house in Mamojela Park, subsequent to the well operationalised information by the Lephalale Detectives.
“The Provincial Commissioner has commended the swift arrest of the suspect and urged police to intensify the fight against gender-based violence.
The suspect is due to appear before the Lephalale Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 7 June 2022 facing charges of contravention of the protection order, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and theft.
Police investigations continue.
