A man believed to be the husband of a woman stabbed in her Bonteheuwel home on Tuesday, February 3, has been arrested on a charge of murder and is due to appear in the Bishop Lavis Magistrates Court.
The man was arrested on Wednesday, February 4, a day after the woman was found with multiple stab wounds in her Assegaai Avenue home.
Provincial police spokesperson Captain F.C. Van Wyk confirmed that the circumstances surrounding the stabbing are under investigation.
“The victim sustained stab wounds to the head and the back of her shoulder. Bishop Lavis police registered a murder case for investigation,” he said.
“According to reports, members received a complaint of a person who was stabbed and declared deceased at a local hospital. On arrival, they were shown the body of the deceased, who was declared dead on arrival.
"The motive for this stabbing incident is yet to be determined,” Captain Van Wyk said.
Bonteheuwel ward 50 councillor Angus McKenzie said he was deeply disturbed and angered by the murder. “The suspect is believed to be her husband...
“Gender-based violence has no place in Bonteheuwel. It will never be normalised, excused, or tolerated in our community. Not today. Not ever. My thoughts and prayers are with the family, loved ones, and children affected by this horrific act. We stand with you, and we will pursue justice relentlessly,” he said.
Mr McKenzie said the woman had worked closely with him in the community. “Her smile and joy covered up the abuse she had been undergoing for a long time,” he said.
Gender-based violence (GBV) activist Octavia Solomons said she was deeply affected by the woman’s death.
“I met her many years ago, before she married the perpetrator. She was a loving, caring, and family-oriented person who built a life and family. She was also a dedicated community worker in Bonteheuwel,” she said.
“Her life was a testament to her strength and compassion. I’m filled with sadness and outrage at her senseless loss. I hope her family gets justice and her story sparks meaningful conversations about GBV. We must work towards a society where women can live without fear of violence,” Ms Solomons said.
Neighbour Wilhelmina Lemmetjies said the community was deeply upset by her death.
“She was a mother, grandmother, and a hardworking woman. We know her very well. The abuse has been going on for a long time, wat ons fisies met ons oë gesien het. Dit maak ons diep onsteld oor wat gebeur het ( what we physically saw with our own eyes. What happened upsets us deeply),” she said.
Anyone with information about the incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile application anonymously.