Murder suspect commits suicide after allegedly raping young woman
A troubled youth set to stand trial for murder is suspected to have killed himself on Thursday night, hours after allegedly raping a young woman.
22-year-old Maduo Nagafela was found dangling from a tree in his home village of Ditshegwane on Friday morning, having seemingly used the string from his track pants to hang himself.
The grisly discovery brought a swift end to a police search for the missing man, who had been looking for the Mogano ward resident in connection with the brutal rape of a 21-year-old lady from the village.
Confirming the suspected suicide, Letlhakeng Assistant Superintendent, Lekopanye Molwantwa told The Voice, “Yesterday (Thursday) around 10pm we received a report from a young woman aged 21 saying she was raped by the suspect aged 22. She said the suspect found her at home with her grandmother and he asked her that they go outside to discuss something.”
The cops believe that once out of the house, Nagafela brandished a broken bottle and threatened to cut her throat with the jagged glass if she didn’t come with him.
Warning her not to scream for help, it is said he dragged her back to his place where he violently raped her.
Afterwards, Nagafela reportedly allowed her to leave, allegedly telling the traumatised woman he planned to hang himself.
It seems he was true to his word.
“Just this morning (Friday) when we continued with the search we met a relative in the nearby bush who informed us that the man we are looking for is hanging from ‘Mokha’ tree. We then took him to hospital where he was certified dead by a medical doctor,” added ASP Molwantwa.
It brings a bloody end to a man who found himself on the wrong side of the law for much of his young life.
Nagafela’s notoriety dates back to 24 July 2023, when he allegedly chopped down a Zimbabwean man who accused him of stealing his cellphone.
The then 19-year-old handed himself to Ditshegwane Police Post at around midnight on the day of the killing, still clutching the bloodied axe he supposedly used to slay Offiase Dabhiya, 35.
After the suspect’s apparent confession, the police rushed to the scene to help the injured man; bleeding from deep cuts to his head and below the chin, although Dabhiya was hurried to the hospital, it was already too late and he certified dead upon arrival.
The murder case was recently committed to the High Court and was pending trial; granted bail, Nagafela, however, appears to have taken matters into his own hands – not before seemingly carrying out one last vicious act!
