The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has condemned the brutal murder of a 29-year-old woman, believed to have been shot by her husband in cold blood in the Free State. The husband is believed to have crossed into Zimbabwe through the Beitbridge Port of Entry.
On 20 January 2025, police in Musina received information from a tracking company about a white Ford Ranger with Limpopo registration, which had been parked at a residence in Campbell. The vehicle’s owner had been reported missing since Friday, 17 January 2025, under Moroka SAPS in Gauteng, along with his wife.
Police rushed to the scene and found the vehicle at the residence. The owner explained that he had kept the bakkie in his yard with permission from the male owner, who had borrowed a large amount of cash and indicated he intended to cross the border to Zimbabwe for spiritual assistance due to issues at his workplace.
Further investigation revealed that the vehicle’s owner was accompanied by a man when he dropped off the vehicle on 17 January 2025 at about 22:00.
During preliminary investigations, police discovered bloodstains inside the vehicle, two empty rifle cartridges, three empty 9mm pistol cartridges, one fragment of 9mm ammunition, six live 9mm rounds, two black 9mm pistol magazines (one with 15 rounds and one empty), and a pair of black gloves.
The 24-year-old suspect, believed to be involved in the incident was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday, 22 January 2025, at his residence in Tshamutumbu policing area where he was found in possession of two firearms including a hunting rifle with ammunition, subsequent to an intelligence-driven operation by Musina Police along with Vala Umgodi MAJOC Roving Team.
The vehicle’s owner and his wife, originally from Mutale in the Vhembe District, were still reported missing. Further investigation led to the discovery of the body of the 29-year-old woman, who had multiple gunshot wounds, on 22 January 2025 at approximately 11:15 in the bushes along the N1 in Kromdraai, in Free State. Preliminary investigation revealed that the husband, who was supposed to be travelling with the deceased, passed the Verkeerdeveli Toll Gate alone in the same bakkie on Friday, 17 January 2025. It was at the turn-off in Kromdraai where the woman’s body was discovered.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has strongly condemned the senseless shooting that resulted in the tragic death of the woman.
Police are searching for the deceased’s husband Mr. Dakalo Nemangwele, 34, to assist in their investigation regarding the murder. Anyone with information that can assist in tracing the deceased’s husband, should contact Lieutenant Colonel Shuhani Rendani, on cellphone number 082 414 6683, Crime Stop at 08600 10111, or via the MySAPS App.