The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe strongly condemns ongoing incidents of gender-based violence following an incident that took place today Sunday, 22 January 2023 in Seshego outside Polokwane where a 45 year old man allegedly assaulted and killed his girlfriend and thereafter hanged himself.
Police were summoned to the scene at a house in Extention 133 at about 07:00 and on their arrival, they found the body of a 41-year-old woman with bruises on her back lying inside the bedroom and that of her boyfriend hanging from the roof rafters in the passage. It is believed that the boyfriend assaulted his girlfriend until she lost her life and then hanged himself.
The two bodies were only discovered in the morning by the two children aged 9 and 13. The deceased was identified as Rachel Madubanya (41) and her boyfriend Albert Mokgonyana (45).
The motive behind the incident is unknown at this stage but domestic violence cannot be ruled out.
“We are very saddened by the incident and still urge community members who are experiencing domestic challenges to seek help immediately instead of resorting to violence,” concluded Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe.
Police have opened cases of murder and inquest. Investigations are continuing.
