A woman has been arrested for murder after allegedly stabbing her partner with a broken bottle in Magwaveni, Tongaat, on Saturday, 31 January. The tragedy is one of three separate incidents reported in the community over just three days involving women violently assaulting their male partners.
The Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) Tongaat operations centre dispatched officers to Magwaveni following reports of the stabbing. Upon arrival, officers discovered a 48-year-old male lying on the roadway with visible injuries. It was established that the man had been with his girlfriend at a nearby tavern prior to the confrontation.
Rusa spokesperson, Prem Balram, said: “According to information obtained, the couple became involved in a verbal altercation relating to financial issues. During the argument, the female suspect allegedly broke a beer bottle and stabbed the male twice, resulting in injuries to the left side of his abdomen and face.”
Members of the public directed officers to the suspect’s residence, where she was found inside her room covered in blood. Balram noted that the woman immediately confessed to the stabbing before being restrained and handed over to the police.
SAPS Tongaat Spokesperson Captain Jasanathan Naidoo confirmed the fatality, stating: “The victim in the incident has unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. The suspect has been arrested on a charge of murder and made her first appearance in the Verulam Magistrates Court on Monday, 2 February. The case is ongoing and the state is taking this matter very seriously as this is a charge of murder; updates will follow as court proceedings continue.”
The violence continued on Sunday, 1 February, when a 51-year-old man was the victim of an alcohol-related domestic assault on Mtiyedwa Sithole Road in Phase 5, Waterloo. Rusa members found the man with a head injury, allegedly caused by his girlfriend striking him with a glass bottle.
Balram explained: “The man informed reaction officers that his partner was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. The altercation began after the female requested additional finance to purchase more alcohol. The male allegedly refused, stating that the available funds had already been spent. The argument escalated, resulting in the assault.” The victim was transported privately to the hospital, while the suspect fled before first responders arrived.
A third incident occurred on Monday, 2 February, involving a 32-year-old man in Phase 6, Waterloo. Rusa officers found the victim lying on his back with multiple stab wounds to his upper body. The 23-year-old girlfriend was located at the scene with blood-soaked clothing and a stained kitchen knife.
Balram said: “She was immediately restrained. The woman informed officers that the couple had returned home from a local tavern before an argument broke out, which escalated into a physical confrontation. The suspect confirmed to using a kitchen knife to repeatedly stab the man during the altercation.” The woman was subsequently taken into SAPS custody.
