22/08/2021
POLOKWANE - The Police in Waterval outside Louis Trichardt in the Vhembe District have opened cases of murder and inquest which took place yesterday on Friday 20 August 2021 at about 12h20
at Nwa Xinyamani Village.
It is alleged that the deceased female identified as Thoko Rikhotso aged 41 was at her parents’ homestead when her alleged boyfriend only known as Emmanuel of Waterval Location, arrived.
The two were allegedly seen entering the house and after some few minutes, a sound similar to that of a gun was reportedly heard and a smoke was seen coming out of the house. Members of the public went to assist but the fire was too strong to put down.
Both deceased were burned beyond recognition. The motive for the incident is not known at this stage but as part of the investigations that are unfolding, the Police will be following up on the information that suggests the two had domestic or relationship challenges.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has learnt with shock this incident in which two lives perished in the fire and has ordered a full probe into the circumstances that led to this tragic incident.
“We are currently experiencing sporadic incidents of violent deaths in which women are the primary victims. Just three days back, the partially burnt body of a still to be identified woman in her twenties was found on the outskirts of Polokwane in Westenburg policing area with her limps tied. This should be concerning to all law abiding citizens of this Province. We urge everyone to resort to legal means including making use of available platforms when confronted with domestic or relationship challenges ”. Concluded Lieutenant General Hadebe.
The post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death. Police investigations are continuing.