NORTH WEST – A 31-year-old man has been arrested within hours of the brutal murder of his 25-year-old girlfriend in Deelpan Village in Sannieshof in the North West Province in a case that has once again highlighted South Africa’s ongoing gender-based violence crisis.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement that officers were called to the village on the morning of Friday 26 June, where they found the woman’s body.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the murder took place between 22:00 on Thursday 25 June and 06:00 on Friday 26 June.

Police alleged that the woman was assaulted and fatally stabbed during an incident involving her boyfriend.

A 31-year-old suspect was arrested shortly afterwards and remains in police custody.

He is expected to appear in the Delareyville Magistrate’s Court on Monday 29 June, on a charge of murder.

Acting North West Provincial Commissioner Major General Dr Ryno Naidoo praised the swift response by police and all role players involved in the investigation, including an eyewitness whose assistance contributed to the suspect’s arrest.

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Naidoo said the SAPS remains committed to ensuring that justice is served in cases of gender-based violence.