A 35-year-old Limpopo man will on Monday appear in court after he was arrested for killing a 13-months-old baby girl, and attempted murder on the baby’s mother – his ex-girlfriend.

Police said the 35-year-old man, who cannot be named until he appears in court, drove over his ex-girlfriend and her baby, killing the child.

“According to information, the female victim was with her child alongside the road, on Friday, at around 8 pm, waiting for a taxi to Segopye village, when the suspect, who is her ex-boyfriend, came and started to have a heated argument with her,” said Limpopo provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.

A taxi arrived, and the woman and her baby boarded the public transport. While on the way, the taxi driver apparently informed the mother that her ex-boyfriend’s van was following the taxi. 

“They alighted at Marothi (Makwalaneng) Cross, and her ex-boyfriend, driving the van at a high speed, drove over them, without stopping,” said Ledwaba.

The attacked mother and child were taken to Mankweng Hospital with serious injuries. Later, the 13-month-old baby passed on, and the mother sustained injuries on her leg.

A case of murder and attempted murder was registered with the police.

Last year, the High Court in North West, sitting in the Klerksdorp Regional Court, sentenced 26-year-old hitman Monokwa Malewu to life imprisonment for murder and an additional seven years in jail for attempted murder.

At the time, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said the mastermind behind the murder, Maseiso Clementinah Kokama, 64, received a life sentence for murder and 15 years for conspiracy to commit a crime, in violation of the Riotous Assemblies Act.

Moeketsi Petrus Lesuhlo, 47, a Lesotho citizen, was also sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and 15 years for conspiracy to commit crime under the same Act.

“The court ruled that all sentences would run concurrently with the life sentences imposed on each accused,” said Gunya.

The charges stem from a “tragic” incident that occurred in Kanana, a township in Klerksdorp.

“Evidence presented in court revealed that the 64-year-old Kokama was in a relationship with Dingaan Dlamini, which ended poorly, leading to their separation. Shortly after, Dlamini became romantically involved with Nonzame Hondwana, which Kokama did not take well,” Gunya narrated.

“Driven by jealousy and anger, she (Kokama) orchestrated a hit on Hondwana.”

On April 1, 2022, while Hondwana was having dinner at home with Dlamini, there was a knock at the door.

When Dlamini opened the door, the hitman Malewu indicated he was there to see Hondwana. He then shot her multiple times, killing her instantly.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

IOL News  

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