Securing justice after extreme gender violence in Namakgale

A 45-year-old man is currently under investigation by the South African Police Service in Namakgale after a horrific domestic attack at the Namakgale Shopping Complex on Sunday, September 28th. The incident, which is being investigated under the national effort to combat gender-based violence, has led to the suspect facing serious charges of two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder, following an assault where his 40-year-old wife was attacked and a store manager was injured.

Key details of the namakgale incident

• Date of Incident: Sunday, 28 September.
• Location: Namakgale Shopping Complex, Namakgale, in the Mopani District.
• Investigating Authority: The South African Police Service (SAPS) Namakgale. For more details on the initial announcement, you can visit the SAPS official announcement.
• Suspect: A 45-year-old man.
• Victims/Injured: His 40-year-old wife (attacked) and a store manager (injured).
• Charges Currently Under Investigation: Two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
• Context: The case is being handled with emphasis on the fight to #EndGBVF (Gender-Based Violence and Femicide).

Full detailed summary of the story

The community of Namakgale in the Mopani District was plunged into shock following a violent incident of alleged domestic abuse that escalated in a public setting. On Sunday, September 28th, a 45-year-old man reportedly attacked his 40-year-old wife while they were at the Namakgale Shopping Complex. During the violent confrontation, the man also injured a store manager who appears to have either intervened or been caught up in the melee.

The severity of the violence is clearly indicated by the charges the SAPS Namakgale is currently investigating. Despite the initial report detailing the attack on the wife and injury to the manager, the police docket includes two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. This implies that the brutal assault tragically resulted in the deaths of two individuals, while the store manager survived his injuries, leading to the attempted murder charge. The police are urging communities to stand up against gender-based violence as they continue their detailed investigation into the full circumstances surrounding this horrific incident to ensure justice is served.

You can find more stories like this and other news from the region here.

Community questions and answers regarding the namakgale case

• Q: Who exactly are the two people who were murdered?
  A: The police report confirms that the 40-year-old wife was attacked, but the identity of the two murder victims has not been fully detailed in the brief police statement. It is confirmed that the SAPS is investigating charges relating to two counts of murder.
• Q: What happened to the store manager?
  A: The store manager was injured during the incident. Because he survived the attack, the police are investigating a charge of attempted murder relating to the harm caused to him.
• Q: Was the attack planned or was it a sudden confrontation?
  A: The current information does not specify the motive or whether the attack was pre-meditated. However, the police are treating the incident under the context of gender-based violence, which often stems from ongoing domestic issues.
• Q: Where in the shopping complex did this take place?
  A: The incident occurred at the Namakgale Shopping Complex. The exact location within the complex (e.g., inside a specific shop or in the car park) has not been confirmed by the police.
• Q: Has the 45-year-old man been arrested?
  A: The police statement confirms that SAPS Namakgale is actively investigating the case, which is the immediate next step. While it is highly probable the suspect has been arrested or is being sought, his current status (in custody or at large) was not included in the initial report.
• Q: What does the charge of attempted murder suggest about the manager’s injuries?
  A: The charge of attempted murder means that the police believe the suspect intended to cause the death of the manager or knew his actions were likely to cause death, but the manager survived the attack.