Women who are breaking up with their partners should seek counseling and professional advice on a safety plan that will guarantee their protection and report possible danger before conflicts get out of hand, North West Premier Thandi Modise said in an angry reaction to an incident in which two children died after a 35-year-old man allegedly set fire to his girlfriend’s shack at the Maruping village in Ottoshoop on Christmas day.
“We are saddened by the incident and wish to condemn in the strongest terms possible the gender based violence that has claimed the lives of two more innocent children who died tragically and in a horrific manner,” underscored the Premier in welcoming the arrest of the suspect and conveying her condolences to the family that has lost their loved ones.
Premier Modise also wished the hospitalized mother a speedy recovery.
Modise said that four recent incidents that were experienced over the past month in the province suggest that meetings between women and their ex-partners who have not accepted break-ups have the potential to get out of hand with dire consequences for those involved in the relationship.
“These incidents call for united action against gender based violence and for collective efforts to prevent violence against women and children to be intensified,” she highlighted.
According to police, two children, a 10-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl were certified dead at the scene by the emergency services.
“It is alleged that after burning the shack, the suspect stabbed his ex-girlfriend with a knife several times on her body, and she was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries," said Captain Pelonomi Makau.
Makau said the motive for the attack was still unknown and that police investigations are continuing. The man allegedly burnt the shack at 04:00.
Premier Modise has called for no bail for the suspect when he appears in the Zeerust Magistrate's Court on Friday on charges of arson and two counts of murder.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele, Spokesperson
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
