‘Assaulted to death’: Man to appear in court after allegedly killing girlfriend

A 42-year-old man is expected to appear in court after allegedly murdering his 37-year-old girlfriend in Marapyane, Mpumalanga on Saturday 27 June. 

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the man is expected to appear before the Mbibane Magistrate’s Court on Monday 29 June. 

This comes after a surge in gender-based violence incidents in the country.  

ANOTHER WOMAN MURDERED 

The murder of Maria Malinga is yet another horrific incident added to the long list of gender-based violence crimes that has swept the nation.

“It adds more sorrow to the scores of tragic incidents where women suffer immense violence in the hands of their abusers who are people they are in relationships with,” read the police statement. 

According to police reports, the two were staying together. Details also emerged that there was a history of domestic violence between the two, which prompted the woman to apply for a Protection Order against her boyfriend — it was served to him accordingly but did not stop her from being murdered.

“This time around an argument broke out between them that led to the sad ending at which the suspect allegedly assaulted her to death,” the statement said. 

The police, as well as the medical personnel, were notified about the incident and on arrival, they found the victim lying on the ground in front of the neighbour’s gate with visible injuries on her body. She was immediately rushed to the hospital. Malinga was, unfortunately, certified dead on arrival.

MAN SHOOTS WIFE AND TURNS GUN ON HIMSELF 

Also in Mpumalanga, a man was accused of shooting his wife and then turning the gun on himself. 

The incident, leading to the murder, is believed to have begun with an argument between the couple, which was witnessed by neighbours on Friday 15 May — just over one month ago. The man is reported to have gone into the home he shared with his 39-year-old wife to retrieve a firearm. The man then allegedly shot his wife and later himself.

Police, as well as the medical personnel, were notified about the incident and they responded swiftly. The woman was unfortunately certified dead by the paramedics at the scene whilst the husband was rushed to hospital where he was placed under police guard. 

Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma has strongly condemned the murder and another incident of domestic violence.