Police are searching for a man accused of killing his girlfriend and her child at the weekend following an argument.
The suspect, Lerato Sefekedi, who is a scholar transport operator, is alleged to have stabbed his partner Sandra Mabaso, and petrol-bombed her house in the early hours of Sunday morning. Mabaso, 41, was with her six-year-old son when her Protea Glen house was set alight. Mabaso, who worked for a bank, died at the crime scene.
Her son was rushed to hospital with severe burn wounds but was certified dead hours after the attack.
According to neighbours, Sefekedi is believed to have gained access to Mabaso’s house through the roof after their argument.
Mabaso’s family declined to comment, saying they didn’t want to jeopardise the police investigation.
Police spokesperson Col Dimakatso Sello confirmed that Sefekedi was wanted for double murder.
“The woman was allegedly set alight in her house by her boyfriend. During the fire one of the children sustained burn wounds. The police are on the lookout for the suspect, who fled the scene. Anyone with information related to this case is requested to report at the nearest police station,” said Sello.
According to sources close to situation, the wanted suspect is married and has a house in the same neighbourhood. He had an on-and-off affair with Mabaso.
The pair had an argument on Saturday around 10pm. Mabaso instructed Sefekedi to leave her house. Sefekedi allegedly returned after midnight and gained access to the house.
“The couple previously had heated arguments but nobody thought their situation would get to this point,” said a neighbour who wanted to remain anonymous.
“Surely some of the neighbours heard the noise but decided not to intervene because they thought it might be one of those arguments the couple would resolve the following day. If the community had responded to all the warning signs surely none of this would have happened.”
Protea Glen ward 135 councillor Phelelani Sindane said he was concerned about the increasing number of gender-based-violence (GBV) cases in the area.
According to Sindane, extensive ground work still needs to be done to educate men to find peaceful means to resolve conflict. “I don’t know what is happening in my ward,” said Sindane.
“This is a second gruesome killing within a space of nine months. Flavio Hlabangwane, who was found with human body parts in his fridge, also comes from this area.
“GBV is a serious problem in this community. We desperately need programmes that will teach men to walk away when things don’t work out in their relationships.”
Hlabangwane is in custody and will reappear at the Johannesburg High Court on Friday for a pre-trial hearing.
Mabaso’s murder comes at a time the Gauteng provincial government is hosting a two-day gender-based violence and Femicide (GBVF) summit at Birchwood Hotel in Ekurhuleni.
The workshop ends today.
It is expected to highlight the work that has been done by the government and community organisations to end GBV since the launch of the national strategic plan on GBVF.
nzimandeb@sowetan.co.za
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