The bloodied bodies of two women have been discovered in Cape Town, prompting urgent investigations by Western Cape police to determine the circumstances behind their deaths.
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In the first incident, the body of a 26-year-old woman was found inside her family’s home on Sneeuberg Road, Heideveld, around 8pm on Sunday, according to News24.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi reported that officers found the woman with multiple stab wounds.
Despite efforts by medical personnel at the scene, the victim was pronounced dead. Swartbooi assured that the investigating officer is diligently pursuing leads to make an arrest.
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‘We can confirm that the suspect is known to the investigating team,’ Swartbooi added.
While the motive for the attack remains unknown, community police forum (CPF) chairperson Vernon Visagie suggested it might be linked to a domestic dispute.
Visagie also mentioned that a suspect was believed to be under police guard in hospital after a resident alerted authorities at the scene. However, Swartbooi clarified that the suspect has not been apprehended, and the search for the individual continues at Manenberg police station.
The CPF visited the family’s home on Monday afternoon, where Visagie disclosed that the family had been out shopping earlier in the day.
According to the deceased’s sister, who accompanied the family, she had a premonition that something had happened to her sister, noting a heated argument between the couple as they left for the shops.
Upon their return, they found the victim in her bedroom, covered with a blanket. Upon removing the blanket, they discovered her lifeless body with visible injuries.
The family, declining media interviews, expressed that they had already provided details to police and the CPF.
In a separate incident on the same Sunday morning, the body of an 18-year-old woman was found in Phola Park, Philippi East.
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed that a post-mortem examination will be conducted to establish the cause of death, with an ongoing investigation.
Jolakazi Notyhanga, a resident of Phola Park, recounted that her husband came across a gathering next to a shack where the young woman’s body was discovered while on his way to catch a taxi for work at 6am.
‘My husband approached them and found a naked body of a woman,’ she said, adding that he called her in panic to convey the situation.
Upon arriving at the scene, Notyhanga found several people surrounding the half-naked body of the young woman.
Witnesses mentioned that she had attended a birthday celebration the previous night at a nearby house, though the circumstances of her death remain unclear.
Reflecting on the prevailing risks in Philippi, Notyhanga expressed deep concerns for her safety and that of her daughter, emphasising the pervasive threat of violence in the area.
Philippi CPF spokesperson Kashiefa Mohammed echoed these sentiments, lamenting the perceived lack of value for human life on the Cape Flats.
Mohammed expressed hope that the newly appointed Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, would introduce effective policies to combat crime in crime-stricken areas.
Authorities urge anyone with information on either incident to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
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Picture: David von Diemar / Unsplash