A 48 year old man has been arrested and charged with murder following the death of his girlfriend, who allegedly suffered fatal injuries after being assaulted during a domestic dispute in Intabazwe near Harrismith, police said on Wednesday.
The victim, identified as 43 year old Lerato Mofokeng, died on Tuesday, June 2, after spending several days receiving medical treatment for injuries allegedly inflicted by her boyfriend.
According to police, the incident occurred on Sunday evening at approximately 7 p.m. when Mofokeng reportedly confronted her boyfriend after seeing him in the company of another woman.
During the confrontation, the suspect allegedly attacked her, striking her repeatedly on the head with empty beer bottles.
Mofokeng was rushed to a local hospital shortly after the incident and later transferred to a hospital in QwaQwa on Monday for further treatment. Despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries the following day.
Police were subsequently notified of her death and launched an investigation.
“Following investigations, police traced and arrested the suspect, who has been charged with murder,” police spokesperson Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring said in a statement.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Harrismith Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, June 4, facing a charge of murder.
The case has once again highlighted concerns about violent crimes committed against women in South Africa, where gender based violence remains a major social challenge.
Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are continuing.