Murders spiking in Letlhakane, police worry
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Tuesday June 28, 2022 03:56
He further said three of the cases were registered in Tawana ward.
Maphephu also shared that two of the cases were 'passion killing' related.
He expressed concern about the alarming murder cases in his policing areas indicating that the matter should be dealt with urgently.
“People should seek help, especially couples when they have problems in their relationships instead of resorting to murder,” Maphephu said.
When talking about the two recent murder cases, the Letlhakane police chief said they have arrested a 24-year-old man for allegedly killing his one-year-and-six-month-old stepdaughter.
He said the incident took place on June 13 at Tawana ward. The child was found with bruises on her forehead suspected to have been caused by the likelihood of falling and bumping into something, he added.
Maphephu said they later learnt last week through post-mortem results that the child suffered external injuries, which might have been caused by physical abuse.
He added that they opened a murder case and the investigations have led to the arrest of the 24-year-old man.
When talking about another incident, which took place in the same ward, he said on June 18 a 39-year-old man from Mopipi allegedly used a spade to murder his sister-in-law.
He stated that the 39-year-old man from Mopipi village was brought in by his parents on Sunday morning after he ran away from the crime scene.
The 40-year-old woman was found in a pool of blood.
Maphephu said the deceased person left her home in Orapa for a family function hosted at her sister’s place in Tawana ward. He indicated that after the function, the deceased woman decided to sleep over with her younger child.
“Late at night the suspect came and broke down the main door to gain entrance to the house. After breaking down the door he went ahead and attacked the deceased with a spade and then finished her off with a knife,” Maphephu said.
He elaborated that they were not certain if the suspect was targeting the deceased person or his wife.
He shared that the suspect and his wife were in separation at the time but he was always accusing his wife of cheating.