Four women, two children murdered in Gauteng in 48 hours
Police in Gauteng say they are alarmed by the spike in incidents of gender-based violence in the province.
This comes after a total of four women and two children were killed in domestic violence related incidents in a space of two days.
In the latest incident, a 21-year old woman and her 43-year old mother were shot and killed in Vosloorus on Tuesday evening.
A third woman – the young victim’s sister - was injured and rushed to hospital.
It is alleged that the suspect arrived at the house in the east of Johannesburg, drew a firearm and fired shots at the victims.
Gauteng police spokesperson Mathapelo Peters, says the search is underway for the suspect.
“A case of double murder and attempted murder has been opened.”
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In a separate incident, police discovered the bodies of a 58-year old woman and her two grandsons aged 9 and 14, in a house in Protea Glen in the early hours of Monday morning.
All three were found with stab wounds in their upper bodies.
“It is suspected that the perpetrator is the ex-boyfriend of the deceased woman and he is on the run,” Peters adds.
In the third incident, police were responding to a report of a rape and murder of a 20-year old woman on Monday morning in Ivory Park, when a group of community members brought the alleged suspect to the scene.
“It is reported that the group which was growing in numbers, refused to hand the suspect over to the police for detention, and instead attacked the officers, damaging the state vehicle. The suspect was also attacked and was certified dead on the scene,” Peters explains.
Four children were injured during the altercation and rushed to hospital for urgent medical attention.
“The levels of violence against women and children has reached alarming heights especially considering that Gauteng also registered high volumes of murders in the crime statistics of the previous financial year.
“These are not just numbers. They were mothers, sisters, daughters, and meant a lot to their loved ones.”
Several suspects will be appearing in various courts over the course of the week.
