43-YEAR-OLD MALE SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR MURDER OF 76-YEAR-OLD WOMAN IN LETSITELE
POLOKWANE – A 43-year-old man has been arrested for murder following the fatal stabbing of a 76-year-old woman at Rwanda Village in the Letsitele policing area, Mopani District, during the early hours of Sunday, 08 February 2026.
The suspect, who is alleged to be the boyfriend of the deceased, was arrested after police were alerted to the incident.
Upon arrival at the scene, police found the elderly woman lying on the ground with a stab wound to her back. Emergency Medical Services attended to the scene and declared the victim deceased.
Community members alleged that the suspect stabbed the deceased with a knife following a brief argument before fleeing the scene on foot. The suspect was later traced to his residence by community members and brought back to the scene, where he was assaulted. Police intervened and rescued the suspect.
A knife believed to have been used in the commission of the crime was recovered.
The suspect was arrested and is currently under police guard at a local hospital, where he is receiving medical treatment for injuries allegedly sustained during his apprehension by community members.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, condemned the incident and reiterated the call to end gender-based violence and femicide. She further cautioned community members against taking the law into their own hands and urged the public to report criminal activities to the police and allow the law to take its course.
Police investigations are continuing.
