Police arrest son after mother is stabbed to death

Makhado police have arrested a 28-year-old suspect for allegedly stabbing and killing his 55-year-old mother at their Berg Ridge apartment in Louis Trichardt on 30 March.

The deceased, Ms Rosemary Netshikulwe, was employed at the SACM as a prison warden. Neighbours allegedly heard the mother and son, who is allegedly autistic, having an argument at about 14:00 on the fateful day.

“According to the information, the son left the premises and when neighbours went to investigate, the body of the deceased was found with multiple stab wounds and the police were called,” said provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo.

Ms Netshikulwe was certified dead when the police and emergency services arrived on the scene.

Mojapelo said that a manhunt was launched to track down the son. At some point, the son reportedly withdrew money from his mother’s bank account at Mall of the North in Polokwane and he was ultimately traced and arrested by members of the Makhado SAPS on Wednesday. The suspect will appear in the Makhado Magistrate Court soon on a charge of murder.

The younger sister of the deceased, Ms Tshampenyu Masakona, said that the family members were in a state of shock and were unsure of how to handle the situation. She said that, when she got to the scene, she could not believe her eyes. “There was blood splattered all over the house and her body (was) lying on the floor… It is hard to believe that my sister allegedly died at the hands of her last-born son, someone she had protected all his life with everything she had. I don't understand how he could have done something like this.”

Masakona said that no-one knew what had actually happened, as no eyewitnesses have come forward, which makes the matter even harder for the family. “We are still trying to come to terms with this tragedy.” She described the suspect as a “good boy” who grew up in church. “This has left a big void in our lives. Our sister was everything to us. She singlehandedly provided for her family and made sure that all her children got education and were well fed.”

News - Date: 01 April 2021

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