By Doreen Mokgolo
A man was arrested and charged with murder after allegedly stabbing and slitting his estranged wife’s throat in front of their two minor children.
Nokuthula Motloung, 46, was declared dead by paramedics at the scene in Tsakane, Ekurhuleni, on Tuesday.
Her family alleges that she endured all forms of abuse and threats to her life from the father of her six children, Thabo Twala, for years.
He attempted to flee the murder scene but was apprehended by angry neighbours who had heard the deceased screaming for help.
The deceased’s daughter, Karabo Motloung, told Scrolla.Africa that her mother had left her father five years ago after more than 20 years of enduring physical abuse at his hands. She said he had been angry with his family since then.
In recent weeks, her father allegedly threatened that he was going to stab the children to death or burn their RDP house while they were sleeping. That’s when Nokuthula decided to move out of her house to stay with her new boyfriend for her own safety.
“We were scared of him because we knew he could carry out his threats. On Monday after work, he told us he was going to search for my mother until he found out where she was staying and kill her,” Karabo alleged.
She added that she begged him not to kill their mother, but she could see that he was serious.
“Whenever she came to check up on us, my older brothers had to accompany [her] to ensure that she was safe. But on Tuesday she was only left with my two young siblings, aged eight and six,” she added.
It is alleged the suspect followed Nokuthula to her new boyfriend’s home.
On Wednesday the Tsakani Magistrate’s Court heard that the suspect had faced previous cases of murder which were thrown out of court due to lack of evidence.
Tsakani police spokesperson sergeant Lerato Mngomezulu confirmed that a case of murder was being investigated. “The suspect has abandoned his bail application and is in police custody,” she said.
The matter has been postponed until 21 December .
Picture above: Thabo Twala and Nokuthula Motloung
Picture source: Supplied
