Woman axed boyfriend 11 times, court told

ISAIAH MOREWAGAE
Staff Writer | Tuesday September 7, 2010 00:00

The victim, Pule Letota (23), sustained 'extensive injury to the head, face and the neck' and had axe marks on his forehead, state pathologist Dr Enock Pradavhakar said. Dr. Pradavhakar told court that the deceased was struck five times on the head, once on the neck and once at the front of the left shoulder and four times on both hands.

Court heard that the accused, Matshidiso Ntwaagae (28) chopped her victim to death with an axe in what she claimed was self-defence.

Dr Pradavhakar said the victim had injuries to the head, and lacerations to the hands. He pointed out that the injuries that Letota sustained on his hands were due to the fact that he (Letota) was trying to defend himself from Ntwaagae's attacks.

The pathologist told court that Letota was struck on the left side of the forehead.

'The deceased was struck on the left temporal region of the skull, cutting the rim of the left ear with a length of 1.5 cm,' Dr. Pradavhakar said. He told court that most of the injuries sustained by the deceased were bone-deep as the underlying bones were crushed.

He told court that all injuries external and internal were caused by a heavy cutting weapon wielded with heavy force. 'Other injuries found on the deceased could have also been caused by the same weapon with light force.

He told court that an axe could have been used to cause such injuries. He stressed that most of the injuries sustained by the deceased were fatal on their own.

Defence attorney, Shame Taimu claimed that on the day of the incident in June 2009, Ntwaagae was choked by Letota using a black scarf that she (Ntwaagae) was wearing.

The State is alleging that Ntwaagae allegedly murdered her boyfriend Letota with an axe after an altercation.

Ntwaagae, former waitress at O'Hagans Pub, Game City and the deceased were lovers. On the fateful day, it is alleged they had a misunderstanding after which she hacked Letota to death with an axe.

Dr Pradavhakar was the last witness as court has admitted statements and exhibits of other witnesses. The defence case starts today with the accused expected to take the stand.

Meanwhile, Ntwaagae's attorney Taimu made an application that mobile phone service provider, Mascom, be ordered to monitor both incoming calls and or messages to Ntwaagae's mobile phone.

Taimu submitted that Ntwaagae was receiving death threats and callers were hiding their numbers. He told court that if the situation is not put under control, it had the potential of distracting his client from concentrating on the case.

Taimu told the court that the latest threat was made on Sunday. 'I advised her to report the matter to the police,' Taimu said. Justice Onkemetse Tshosa accordingly issued the order so that the police would be able to trace the numbers if the threats persist.

The case continues with Lesedi Seloka representing the State.