Over the weekend, two separate incidents occurred in Boitekong Township, Rustenburg, claiming the lives of two young women. One suspect has been apprehended and awaiting a court appearance where he will be formally charged following the incident.

In one incident, the woman was with her boyfriend on Saturday evening when the altercation occurred and the boyfriend stabbed her in the neck and she died in his hands. Young children and family members were present when the incident took place.

In the second incident that night, the boyfriend shot his girlfriend and turned the gun on himself. The two were found in the bedroom after the boyfriend’s family broke the door to gain access to the room after hearing gunshots.

During her visit to the families, Khunou said "today we have lost two young women who had their lives ahead of them. One is a mother of two, whose children are now orphans. This happens at a time the country is still battling the scourge of gender-based violence. As a government, we condemn what has happened and it is a challenge to us to amplify the work that we have been doing consistently to arm our communities with information, which they can use, especially women and children who, despite all efforts from government and civil society, remain vulnerable.”

Meanwhile, Shiela Mabale-Huma said it is important for women to know when to walk away from toxic relationships. “Women should never risk their lives by hoping that a perpetual abuser will change when their behaviour indicates something opposite to what they are saying.”

These incidents come as the country mourns the lives of women and children that were taken by gender-based violence.

OFM News/Marvin Ntsane