Frank Maponya
Frank Maponya
A Limpopo man who hacked his wife to death with an axe was later found hanging from a tree.
The incident happened at Maralaleng village in GaMphahlele near Lebowakgomo.
Police said they suspect that a domestic dispute might have led to the tragedy.
Captain Mamphaswa Seabi said preliminary investigations revealed that Samuel Mabula, 59, had a heated argument with his wife, Ramatsimela, before the ugly incident.
He said the couple have two daughters aged 25 and 12.
The eldest was not home at the time of the incident, Seabi said.
The angry man allegedly bludgeoned his wife to death with an axe in full view of their younger daughter.
"We are worried that the brutal attack on the woman happened in full view of the young girl.
"This will traumatise her for the better part of her life. It might also have a negative impact on her performance at school," Seabi said.
He said the incident happened at about 6.30pm on Tuesday at the couple's home.
The couple's eldest daughter, who is pregnant, was visiting neighbours at the time, he said.
After realising that his wife was dead, Mabula went into the bushes and never returned.
"We had gone to the house to investigate after receiving a report about the incident. When we did not find the suspect we launched a search for him which took the whole night," explained Seabi.
He said they were still at the family home yesterday morning when a villager reported seeing a man hanging from a tree in the bushes.
The police went to investigate and found that the dead man was the same one they were looking for.
Mabula had apparently used a piece of wire to hang himself.
"We are appealing to families who are experiencing domestic disputes to approach the relevant structures to get help because taking other people's lives and your own is not the solution," Seabi added.
Police have opened murder and inquest dockets and investigations were continuing.
12-year-old sees gruesome act
Frank Maponya
Frank Maponya
A Limpopo man who hacked his wife to death with an axe was later found hanging from a tree.
The incident happened at Maralaleng village in GaMphahlele near Lebowakgomo.
Police said they suspect that a domestic dispute might have led to the tragedy.
Captain Mamphaswa Seabi said preliminary investigations revealed that Samuel Mabula, 59, had a heated argument with his wife, Ramatsimela, before the ugly incident.
He said the couple have two daughters aged 25 and 12.
The eldest was not home at the time of the incident, Seabi said.
The angry man allegedly bludgeoned his wife to death with an axe in full view of their younger daughter.
"We are worried that the brutal attack on the woman happened in full view of the young girl.
"This will traumatise her for the better part of her life. It might also have a negative impact on her performance at school," Seabi said.
He said the incident happened at about 6.30pm on Tuesday at the couple's home.
The couple's eldest daughter, who is pregnant, was visiting neighbours at the time, he said.
After realising that his wife was dead, Mabula went into the bushes and never returned.
"We had gone to the house to investigate after receiving a report about the incident. When we did not find the suspect we launched a search for him which took the whole night," explained Seabi.
He said they were still at the family home yesterday morning when a villager reported seeing a man hanging from a tree in the bushes.
The police went to investigate and found that the dead man was the same one they were looking for.
Mabula had apparently used a piece of wire to hang himself.
"We are appealing to families who are experiencing domestic disputes to approach the relevant structures to get help because taking other people's lives and your own is not the solution," Seabi added.
Police have opened murder and inquest dockets and investigations were continuing.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos