The corpse of the 33-year-old woman, Lindelani Nengovhela, was found in a water-filled pit toilet in their residence at Mangodi Ha Sundou, Limpopo, on Saturday, January 28.
Lindelani had reported her abusive husband, Livhuwani Madadzhe, also known as comedian SABC Livhu, to the police, who arrested him.
He was released on bail and scheduled to appear in court next week, but on Friday, January 27, Lindelani asked the court to dismiss the case.
According to a Limpopo police spokesperson, the husband, 38, called the police on Saturday morning, claiming he couldn’t find his wife but was surprised to find her dead in the pit toilet in their yard.
“A preliminary probe conducted by the police at the scene led to the arrest of the suspect on a charge of murder,” Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said.
Speaking on the incident, Limpopo provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, urged people in turbulent relationships not to resort to domestic violence
“This is yet another incident of gender-based violence and femicide perpetrated against a vulnerable member of society. The woman obviously trusted her husband would not again physically torment her, but she is now no more. We urge community members having domestic challenges to seek help and desist from resorting to violence,” she said.