Man allegedly chops down ex-lover and puts her son in hospital bed
Last Wednesday, in an effort to send a strong warning to would-be killers, Francistown High Court handed out the ultimate punishment to a man convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend.
It seems the message did not get through.
Just two days after Atlholang Mujangi was sentenced to death, Ghetto was once again left reeling from yet another suspected ‘passion killing’.
As the city slept on Friday night, 34-year-old Gabonthone Toteng was allegedly battering down the door to his ex-lover’s rented one-room house in Satellite.
It is said he used an axe to gain entry before swapping weapons for a panga.
Once inside, Toteng reportedly cut open the woman he was meant to love, allegedly hacking Lefaletse Khumalo apart like he was slicing dead meat.
According to the police, Khumalo, 33, sustained deep wounds to her head and neck. Her hands were also badly hurt, as she desperately tried to shield herself from the panga.
Attempting to rescue his mother, 18-year-old Orapeleng Khumalo was also chopped down and severely injured. The brave teen is currently hospitalised at Nyangabgwe, nursing both physical and mental wounds as he mourns the death of his mum.
This Tuesday, when The Voice visited the crime scene – located deep in Newstance – we find the family have already packed up the deceased’s belongings and headed back to their home village of Tsetsebjwe to prepare for the funeral.
Her curiosity piqued by The Voice’s presence, a neighbour revealed the whole terrifying incident was over in less than five minutes.
“I was awoken by a loud bang and as I listened carefully, I could hear Lefaletse crying for help. When I opened my door I met with the suspect running away. Because I was waking from a deep sleep, I was confused and did not know what to do, whether to chase the suspect or rescue the woman,” she explained, requesting to remain anonymous.
The startled woman was quickly roused from her slumber by the sight of Khumalo’s blood-soaked body lying motionless in the yard meters from the door. Fresh soil now covers the ground where her corpse lay.
“As I was attending to Lefaletse, I heard others screaming that Orapeleng was also lying outside injured. It appears that the son was away when the mother was attacked. When he got home he came across Toteng who also run after him and ‘cut’ his fingers with a panga and left him with a head wound,” continued the neighbour, adding the suspect and deceased broke up about two months ago.
As The Voice leave, the landlord, who declined an interview, sets about inserting a new door.
Toteng was arrested on Saturday – having reportedly spent the night at his new girlfriend’s house – and appeared before Francistown Magistrate Courts on Monday.
The suspected killer was charged with both murder and attempted murder and was remanded in custody until his next court appearance, set for 2nd August. A later date with the gallows could also await…
