McKeed Kotlolo

McKeed Kotlolo

A Mpumalanga pensioner allegedly killed his live-in partner with a pick handle during a quarrel at a shebeen at the weekend.

The incident happened at a tavern in Ezamokuhle, Amersfoort, on Sunday, according to the police.

Amersfoort police spokesman Constable Sihle Zulu said the 65-year-old man and his partner, Sarah Mnisi, in her 50s, went to the local tavern where they were regular patrons.

During a drinking session a quarrel started between the two. This eventually led to a fight.

Zulu said they received a call informing them about a fatal incident at the tavern at about 7pm.

According to information collected at the scene of the crime, Zulu said the man had allegedly grabbed a pick handle and during the fight and hit his woman companion against the forehead. The woman collapsed.

The owner of the tavern rushed the injured woman to the Elsie Ballot Hospital in Amersfoort. She was certified dead on arrival.

After assaulting his partner the man allegedly fled the scene. He was arrested yesterday morning.

He will appear in the Amersfoort magistrates' court tomorrow on a charge of murder.

Zulu said the motive for the murder was still not known at this stage, but the man claimed that his partner encouraged other male patrons to assault him.

The suspect claims he hit her with the pick handle to stop her from influencing the men to attack him.