By OBAKENG MAJE

A family of Thabang Chupane (26) from Cokonyane village near Taung said they were shocked by her untimely death. This comes after Chupane was allegedly stabbed to death by her boyfriend (34) on Wednesday evening.   

Chupane’s aunt, Kgomotso Lekaowa said she received a call from one of the neighbours informing her that Chupane has been stabbed.

“Immediately, I came running to the house and on my arrival, I found Thabang lying in a pool of blood outside the yard. According to Thabang’s children, their father arrived and found them sitting outside.

“He allegedly lured Thabang into the house and that’s where the commotion started. The children said they were shocked to hear Thabang screaming in agony, while blood was dripping out of her chest and stomach,” Lekaowa said.

She further said the children ‘ran’ to the neighbours to ask for help.

“As a family, we really do not know what had transpired between the two. However, this is not the first time the couple experienced challenges. In 2017, the suspect allegedly beat Thabang to the pulp, but she decided not to lay a criminal case against him,” said Lekaowa.

She added that they hope justice will prevail and Thabang’ soul finds peace. It is alleged that the suspect was also attacked by mob justice and has been hospitalised.    

The North West police spokesperson in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Sergeant Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “The duo was having an argument at the deceased’s residential area and a fight broke out.

“During the fight, the woman was stabbed with an unknown sharp object. She was taken to a local clinic for medical attention and unfortunately succumbed to her injuries at the clinic. The suspect was arrested and will appear in court after he received medical attention,”

Meanwhile, the Sonke Gender Justice Corporate Social Investment (CSI) Manager, Given Sigauqwe urged men to stand up against Gender-Based Violent (GBV). He said in a statement that, through #MenEngage Africa initiative, they will continue to advocate for and promote fundamental human and women’s rights.

“This will include engaging community leaders, faith leaders, traditional and government officials to challenge and address harmful practices, calling for an end to sexual and gender-based violence.

“We will be also working with decision-makers to advocate for better policies that affect women’s well-being, and collaborating with other organisations whose mandate addresses women’s rights,” Sigauqwe.

He further said the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated GBV against women and girls in Africa. Sigauqwe said the pandemic has shed a light on existing gender inequalities and has also seen a sharp increase in violence against women and girls especially domestic abuse.

“Women, particularly those who lost their jobs and earnings as a result of the pandemic and became completely dependent on their husbands or partners, and girls who were confined in their homes with no access to protection and treatment services faced increased levels of sexual and physical domestic violence,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com