Mafeteng, Aug. 18 — Mafeteng Criminal Investigation Division (CID) has linked recent cases involving the killing of spouses to domestic disputes, abuse, urging couples facing conflicts to seek mediation instead of resorting to violence.
In an interview with the Agency, Senior Inspector Rethabile Molebo from the CID said some cases of violence between spouses are influenced by the nature of relationships and conflicts within families.
He said in a recent case in Mafeteng, a woman named ‘Manthatuoa Monosi aged 40 was arrested on allegations of killing her husband, with preliminary information suggesting that she had allegedly been subjected to abuse in the relationship before the incident.
Senior Inspector Molebo also referred to another incident in which a wife allegedly killed her husband following a dispute after he fathered a child outside their marriage.
He stressed that the police do not support gender based violence (GBV), regardless of who is involved, and urged couples experiencing disputes to seek help from mediators before conflicts escalate.
He said the police continue to conduct awareness campaigns through village gatherings and radio programmes to educate communities about GBV, its prevention and the importance of resolving family disputes peacefully.
Meanwhile, Psychotherapist Mr. Malefane Motlatla said some cases of violence between spouses could be linked to a history of abuse, infidelity and other unresolved relationship problems.
He said in some cases, suspicions or experiences of cheating could fuel serious conflicts between couples.
Mr. Motlatla further said greediness over money and property could also contribute to violence, particularly where one spouse is perceived to have accumulated wealth or assets. He said most women who their spouses work at the mines
He said most women whose spouses work in the mines end up killing their husbands in an attempt to claim the benefits they would receive after their husbands’ deaths.
Gender based violence can occur in different forms, including physical, emotional and economic abuse.
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