The final week of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign concluded on a tragic note in Limpopo. A man named Freddy Mokgotho, aged 42, brutally stabbed his estranged wife, 30-year-old Refiloe Mokgotho, multiple times. The horrific incident took place in the kitchen of her parents’ home on a Friday morning, witnessed by the couple’s one-year-eight-month-old daughter. Refiloe later succumbed to her injuries at a local healthcare facility. The murder occurred six months after the couple had separated. After committing the heinous act, Freddy fled to the couple’s house where he ended his own life by hanging himself with an electric cord.
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Man stabs wife
Mariam Nkuna, the mother of the deceased, revealed that her daughter was alone in the house when the incident occurred. She believes Refiloe tried to escape but was unable to do so. The police were alerted that morning. Mariam expressed her shock and heartbreak, as she had high hopes for her daughter’s future. She disclosed that Refiloe had been in an abusive relationship for eight years, devoid of happiness. Mariam regretted not advising her daughter to move in with her brother in Pretoria. She described Refiloe as a friendly, peaceful, and loving person who was secretive about her relationship. Mariam urged other parents to maintain close relationships with their children and listen to them.
Eyewitness Account and Police Investigation
Sesinyana Marule, a neighbour, witnessed the shocking scene as Refiloe bled profusely. She rushed Refiloe to Praktiseer Clinic, where she was declared dead on arrival. Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, a spokesperson for the Limpopo police, stated that the motive behind the killing remains unknown. However, a suicide note was discovered at the scene, leading the police to investigate the incident as a case of murder. Mashaba provided a detailed account of the incident, explaining how Refiloe was attacked at her residence, how she screamed for help, and how neighbours rushed her to the clinic. The police traced Freddy to his house in Bothashoek, where they found him hanging from the roof with an electric cord. Refiloe’s funeral is scheduled for Saturday at the Praktiseer Cemetery.