A 29-year-old Lucky Thabiso Akompe has on Wednesday, 27 December 2023, appeared before the Madikwe Magistrates’ Court on a charge of murder.
The accused’s court appearance stems from his apprehension on Monday, 25 December 2023, following an incident wherein he allegedly slit the throat of his 20-year-old, girlfriend Lerato Francina Kuate. The incident happened at Goedehoop Village near Madikwe during the early hours of Monday morning, 25 December 2023. It is alleged that the police were called to the scene after the deceased’s body was found in a shack belonging to the accused’s relative. Upon arrival at the scene, police were shown the deceased’s body, which was lying in a pool of blood. Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) were summoned and Kuate was certified dead at the scene.
Furthermore, preliminary investigations led the police to the house where the suspect was residing, but was not found. During the search at the house, police found the blood stained clothes that the accused was seen wearing the previous day, hidden underneath a bed. A search for the suspect was immediately launched and later in the afternoon, Akompe handed himself over to the Mabeskraal police and was detained. He was remanded in custody to consult the new legal representative until his next court appearance at the same court on Thursday, 04 January 2024.
Investigation into the matter continues.
The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena has condemned in the strongest possible terms this barbaric act of criminality to a defenceless woman. He conveyed his deepest condolences to the deceased family and said the police will do everything in their power to ensure that justice is served.