Man accused of killing estranged wife over maintenance dispute arrested

A man accused of killing his estranged wife in Ngqamakhwe after she opened a child maintenance case against him has been arrested after allegedly hiding in caves and remote areas for days while evading police. Police arrested her 49-year-old husband on Monday evening following a tip-off. According to Eastern Cape social development MEC Bukiwe Fanta, Ntonga had recently opened a child maintenance case against her husband before she was killed.

Eastern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana confirmed the arrest and said the suspect had initially fled after the attack. “Police can confirm the arrest of a 49-year-old man at his home in Jekezi Location, Ngqamakhwe, on Monday evening. “The suspect was arrested on Monday May 4 following a tip-off,” Gantana said.

“He is linked to the murder of Thembisa Ntonga, 42, who was fatally stabbed last month.” She said Ntonga sustained a stab wound to her upper body. The suspect is expected to appear in the Ngqamakhwe magistrate’s court. No woman should ever feel threatened or unsafe when seeking help for herself and her children The killing has sparked outrage in the area and renewed concerns over gender-based violence in the province.