Axe murder in Eastern Cape: Man arrested for killing girlfriend
Eastern Cape police have arrested a 33-year-old suspect following the alleged killing of his girlfriend with an axe after a domestic dispute in Libode.
Image: File
Eastern Cape police have arrested a 33-year-old man after he killed his 35-year-old girlfriend with an axe in Gebane locality, Marhubeni A/A, Libode.
Police spokesperson Captain Welile Matyolo said the suspect was arrested on March 27, 2026, at about 4:40pm.
“This follows an incident in which the victim was reportedly killed with an axe at Gebane locality, Marhubeni A/A, Libode, on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at around 5:30am,” said Matyolo.
It is alleged that the suspect and the victim quarreled in the early hours of Thursday at the victim’s homestead.
“The victim’s 18-year-old daughter attempted to intervene but was chased away by the suspect.”
“The suspect then allegedly hacked the victim to death with an axe, leaving the weapon at the scene,” Matyolo.
Police were summoned to the scene, and the suspect was later arrested on Friday afternoon.
He is expected to appear in the Libode Magistrates’ Court on Monday, March 30, 2026, facing a charge of murder.
OR Tambo District Commissioner, Major General Norman Modishana, welcomed the arrest and condemned the incident as a brutal act of gender-based violence.
He extended condolences to the victim’s family and urged them to allow justice to take its course.
In a separate incident in the same province, police arrested three suspects in connection with the murder of a 79-year-old man and the burning of his property in Tabase locality, Zibungu A/A, Libode.
Police said the incident occurred on March 20, 2026, when a group of community members allegedly assaulted the elderly man using wooden sticks, sharp weapons and a firearm, resulting in his death.
“Thereafter, a six-room house, two rondavels and a kraal were set alight and burnt to ashes, while a four-room house was damaged,” said police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana.
On Wednesday, March 25, at about 11.pm the Tactical Response Team and Libode detectives conducted an operation in Zibungu A/A, Tabase and Ngcungcu locality.
“Three positively identified suspects, aged 40, 43 and 35, were arrested and charged with murder, arson and malicious damage to property,” she said.
The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
“The investigation continues, and the possibility of further arrests cannot be ruled out,” Gantana added.