A HEATED fight allegedly over Sassa cards ended in tragedy.
This when a Mpumalanga man butchered his ex-lover to death on Monday, 12 May at Schoemansdal.
Ntombi Maseko (31) was coming from work when her baby daddy attacked her using an axe.
It's alleged Simanga Kamanga (41) hid in the bushes as Ntombi alighted from the bus.
They had a heated argument before he hacked her to death and fled the scene.
The suspect was later arrested at his home.
He has since made his first court appearance in the Tonga Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 12 May.
Kamanga will be back in court on Tuesday, 20 May, for a formal bail application.
Nhlakanipho Maseko (25), the brother of the deceased, told Daily Sun the family is devastated following the brutal murder of his sister.
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Nhlakanipho said Ntombi and the suspect were no longer staying together and had been living separate lives for six years.
He said although they were not together, the suspect would stalk the victim and threaten her.
Nhlakanipho said he also forcefully took the kids into his custody after the court ruled that they should be with their mum.
"They were in separation for a long time. Their relationship was toxic. The suspect was always stalking my sister and had promised to kill her before. My sister had obtained a protection order against him because she feared for her own safety. On Monday when we learnt about this incident, we were totally shattered," he said.
Nhlakanipho said as a family they want the suspect to rot in jail.
Nkosinathi Mahlalela, who is the deceased's friend, said Ntombi had never had a healthy relationship with the suspect.
He said Ntombi had opened up to them about relationship challenges with her baby daddy.
"She used to share everything happening around her life, including the abusive conduct by the father of her two kids. She had been reporting the suspect to the police, and nothing was done to protect her. I feel we failed her as friends, however there wasn't much that we could do," he said.
The incident has left the community of Schoemansdal reeling in shock.
A community member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she heard noises and thought it was kids playing outside.
She said when the community alerted them about the incident, it was already too late to save her.
The resident said when they arrived at the scene, Ntombi had already succumbed to her injuries.
"We don't feel safe as women in this area. It is no longer safe for women who travel late. We now need people who will offer security services, especially for those who come back from work late," said the resident.
Mpumalanga police spokeswoman Lieutenant-Colonel Jabu Ndubane said police are investigating a murder case.
