A father and his two children have been arrested for the murder and mutilation of his wife and the mother of his kids.
The horrific attack took place in Evaton in the Vaal, Gauteng on Monday.
Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela confirmed that the trio is in jail for the woman’s murder. The suspects, aged 24, 26 and 61, are expected to appear in court soon on a charge of murder.
The suspects alleged that the deceased was possessed by demons, saying they had performed an exorcism on her.
“The suspects allege that the victim, who was their mother and wife to their father, was possessed by demons and they were performing an exorcism procedure which required them to cut some parts of her body,” said Mawela.
The police, said Mawela, found the mutilated body of the woman after they were called to the crime scene by the husband.
The commissioner condemned the attack and urged the public to always seek professional help including psychological, spiritual and social welfare services when faced with life’s challenges.
“Police investigation is still ongoing, however, we urge people and families to seek professional help for their issues, killing a person is a serious crime,” said Mawela.
In 2021, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared gender-based violence as a pandemic.
During the elective conference of the ANC in Nasrec in December 2022, the president said: “This conference has provided guidance for our structures in government to end gender-based violence and femicide.”
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