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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The family of Palesa Maruping (29) in Khuma Township in Stilfontein said her death left a void in their hearts. Maruping was found hanged in the bedroom of a rented house that she was sharing with her boyfriend last week.

Family spokesperson, William Molapo said Palesa’s death was horrific and urged community members to work together with the law  enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to combat the scourge of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

“it is hard to believe that she was killed in such a gruesome manner. Just bear in mind that it is Women’s month and it is not the first time we have experienced this kind of atrocity in Khuma.  

“For the past four years, we have been experiencing this kind of incident, but we never thought it would happen to our family. We are having sleepless nights after experiencing this and no one deserves to be killed in this inhumane manner,” he said.

Molapo applauded the police for their swift arrest of the suspects. According to the North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafje Botman, two suspects were arrested after being linked to Palesa’s death.  

“Tebogo Mokgomo (45) and Matevane Mokatsanyane (42) appeared before the Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court on a charge of murder. They will remain in custody until their next court appearance on 30 August 2021 for a formal bail application.

“With cooperation of members of the community, police questioned Mokatsanyane who is the owner of the house where the victim stayed and Mokgomo who is the victim’s boyfriend. It was consequently established that the pair allegedly stole the victim’s two cellphones and locked her inside the house.

“They allegedly came back later and hanged her. The accused were arrested and charged with murder,” Botma said.

The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena condemned the incident and pointed that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring that the accused are convicted.

Meanwhile, the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in the North West welcomed the arrest of the suspects. SANCO provincial chairperson, Paul Sebegoe said: “The tip-off by community members has greatly assisted police investigation into the despicable act and contents strongly with SANCO’s view that there is no place in our society for perpetrators of such atrocious and heinous crimes against women who happen to be the most vulnerable in our communities.

“It is when there is united action and a strong partnership with crime prevention structures and law enforcement that the fight against GBV and femicide will be won. women like Maruping are lured into abusive dead-end relationships by heartless monsters who are perverts and weaklings that seek to entrench control and male domination through violence.”

Sebegoe said the criminal justice system must show intolerance to such horrific acts by issuing harshest sentences possible to serve as a deterrent.

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