KwaZulu-Natal man faces court for murder of girlfriend and attack on her daughters

A 48-year-old man is expected to appear in the Louwsberg Magistrate’s Court today after he allegedly killed his girlfriend and attacked her daughters in a shocking incident in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

Police said the suspect was arrested by members of the Vryheid K9 Unit and Hlobane SAPS shortly after the attack, which took place in the early hours of Thursday morning at a home near a game reserve in Shanelweni, Ngome.

According to police reports, the 41-year-old woman was found dead at the scene after sustaining fatal burn injuries. Her 28-year-old daughter was also assaulted and seriously wounded.

It is further alleged that the suspect sexually assaulted the woman’s younger daughter, aged 13, during the same ordeal.

The teenager was asleep in the same room with her older sister when she was awakened by noise outside around 01:00 am.

When she opened the door, she saw her mother's boyfriend who entered the room and attacked her older sister with an axe. The suspect then dragged the teenager to a nearby bush where he allegedly sexually assaulted her.

The teenager managed to raise the alarm, leading to the suspect’s swift arrest.

SAPS confirmed that the man faces charges of murder, attempted murder, and sexual assault.

The suspect was traced to his home in KwaMnyathi, where he was taken into custody, according to the police statement.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE