Free State police decline to comment on allegations, Lesedi FM radio personality, Dimakatso Ratselane was stabbed a shocking 49 times…
Free State police decline to comment on allegations, Lesedi FM radio personality, Dimakatso Ratselane was stabbed a shocking 49 times allegedly by her husband in Bloemfontein this week.
LESEDI FM ANCHOR STABBING – WHAT WE KNOW
HUSBAND ON THE RUN
Authorities confirm the incident but have declined to mention the number of times, the Bloemfontein-based anchor was stabbed allegedly by her spouse, who is yet to be found.
I saw pictures of Lesedi fm anchor Dimakatso Ratselane. She was stabbed 49 times & is fighting for her life. Husband is on the run. Terrible scene!!
— Bra Hloni (@HonourableHloni) February 12, 2021
Media reports surfaced on Thursday evening, 11 February that Ratselane was in a critical condition after she was found with multiple stab wounds this week by a search party of friends and community members in the informal settlement commonly referred to as Dinaweng.
DETAILS TO BE REVEALED IN COURT
Provincial police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, tells the South African that the injuries sustained “can only be confirmed by a medical practitioner, who will report back to the investigating officer”. Makhele cautions that these details will only be revealed in a court of law.
LESEDI FM ANCHOR FOUND COVERED IN BLOOD
Ratselane and her husband were last seen leaving their home in Mandela View on Tuesday, 9 February, to fetch their children in Phase two township. It is believed an argument ensued between the couple enroute to the pick-up.
The Lesedi FM anchor was found around midnight the same day at the aforementioned informal settlement covered in blood. She was in such a bad state, she could not speak.
My colleague and friend #DimakatsoRatselane (nèe Folotsi) is fighting for her life after she was stabbed and left for dead allegedly by her husband
Anyone who might know the whereabouts of this suspect please call Crime Stop Nr. 0860010111 or via MySAPS App. pic.twitter.com/0EeKviB4P9
— Nthakoana “Queen Mosia” Ngatane (@nthakoana) February 11, 2021
Makhele says the suspect is still at large and calls on anyone with additional information on his whereabouts to contact police.
RAMAPHOSA SPEAKS ON GBV IN SONA ADDRESS
President Cyril Ramaphosa during his State of the Nation Address said it was important for law enforcement agencies to reduce the backlog of gender-based violence cases in the country.
Ramaphosa referenced the three key pieces of legislation which were introduced in Parliament last year to make the criminal justice system more effective in combating gender-based violence.
The Domestic Violence, Sexual offences and Related Matters Amendment Bills were presented to parliament in September, and after receiving the greenlight, the public was given the opportunity to comment on the proposed amended bills.
The National Shelter Movement of South Africa (NSMSA) is but one of the groups that have pointed out the bills are intended to limit the loopholes that existed in the same legislature previously that enabled perpetrators to avoid prosecution and imprisonment for such offences.
The Criminal and Related Matters Amendment will make it harder for perpetrators of GBV and femicide to be granted bail. Prosecutors will under the amended bill, be forced to state reasons as to why they are not opposing bail. The bills will create a new offence for sexual intimidation, furthermore widening the scope of what constitutes incest