An argument over a husband's alleged infidelity is believed to have led to the murder of his wife and five-year-old child who he allegedly pushed to their deaths from the sixth floor.
The incident happened at San Martin Mansions on the corner of Claim and Lydes streets in Joubert Park, Johannesburg, on Saturday night.
Neighbours said the wife was not at home for two weeks and when she returned from Zimbabwe, a woman employed as a cleaner at the block of flats told her about her husband's alleged cheating.
"The couple had been arguing since Friday. The fight continued on Saturday afternoon. I was shocked when I heard that the woman and her child had been pushed from the balcony," said a neighbour, who spoke to Sowetan on condition of anonymity. He said there was a pool of blood on the pavement.
"When I got out to go see what was happening, I saw the husband go out. He was wearing shorts. I did not think he could have done such a thing. He is a quiet man," said the neighbour.
ER24 paramedics attended to the scene. Spokesman Russel Meiring said they had responded to the call and found the pair lying on the sidewalk.
"On assessment, paramedics found that the mother had already succumbed to her multiple fatal injuries. Nothing more could be done for her and she was declared dead.
"The child was found to be in a critical condition. Paramedics treated her and provided her with advanced life support intervention.
"Unfortunately, after some time, the child too succumbed to her injuries," Meiring said.
Gauteng police spokesman Lieutenant- Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said police had been told that the couple had an argument which led to the death of the mother and her child.
"The man was apprehended by the community who then handed him over to the police. He has been charged with two counts of murder," said Dlamini.
He said the man was expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court today.
Relatives said they were deeply hurt by the incident but would not comment any further.
Another relative from the husband's side confirmed that the couple had had an argument.
"The couple and the child were alone in the house. We heard that they had an argument. What we also gathered was that the wife beat up the husband and he collapsed. She must have panicked, thinking he was dead, and threw herself and the child from the balcony," she said.
mashabas@sowetan.co.za
Mother and child thrown from sixth floor of building
An argument over a husband's alleged infidelity is believed to have led to the murder of his wife and five-year-old child who he allegedly pushed to their deaths from the sixth floor.
The incident happened at San Martin Mansions on the corner of Claim and Lydes streets in Joubert Park, Johannesburg, on Saturday night.
Neighbours said the wife was not at home for two weeks and when she returned from Zimbabwe, a woman employed as a cleaner at the block of flats told her about her husband's alleged cheating.
"The couple had been arguing since Friday. The fight continued on Saturday afternoon. I was shocked when I heard that the woman and her child had been pushed from the balcony," said a neighbour, who spoke to Sowetan on condition of anonymity. He said there was a pool of blood on the pavement.
"When I got out to go see what was happening, I saw the husband go out. He was wearing shorts. I did not think he could have done such a thing. He is a quiet man," said the neighbour.
ER24 paramedics attended to the scene. Spokesman Russel Meiring said they had responded to the call and found the pair lying on the sidewalk.
"On assessment, paramedics found that the mother had already succumbed to her multiple fatal injuries. Nothing more could be done for her and she was declared dead.
"The child was found to be in a critical condition. Paramedics treated her and provided her with advanced life support intervention.
"Unfortunately, after some time, the child too succumbed to her injuries," Meiring said.
Gauteng police spokesman Lieutenant- Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said police had been told that the couple had an argument which led to the death of the mother and her child.
"The man was apprehended by the community who then handed him over to the police. He has been charged with two counts of murder," said Dlamini.
He said the man was expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court today.
Relatives said they were deeply hurt by the incident but would not comment any further.
Another relative from the husband's side confirmed that the couple had had an argument.
"The couple and the child were alone in the house. We heard that they had an argument. What we also gathered was that the wife beat up the husband and he collapsed. She must have panicked, thinking he was dead, and threw herself and the child from the balcony," she said.
mashabas@sowetan.co.za
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