Staff Reporter
A 67-year-old woman is facing murder charges after she allegedly hit her 63-year-old landlord over the head with a glass plate, leading to his death, while they were fighting over unpaid rent.
According to the police, the incident happened at about 8.30pm on Wednesday in the suburb of Navalsig in Bloemfontein.
It is alleged that the tenant was sitting with the landlord’s wife on the balcony of the rented house when the now deceased landlord arrived, demanding payment and threatening to cut the tenant’s electricity.
Free State police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said a scuffle ensued as the angry landlord was walking toward the main switch in an attempt to cut the power supply.
“Upon entering the main house, on his way to the main switch in the bedroom, an argument ensued,” said Makhele in a statement.
“The argument allegedly led to an exchange of blows and the two fought in the bedroom, where the 63-year-old landlord held the victim down on top of the bed, strangling her.
“The 67-year-old tenant managed to reach for a glass plate and allegedly smashed it against the 63-year-old’s head, and that led to a deep cut in the landlord’s neck and heavy bleeding.
“Emergency services were called and the landlord was declared dead at the scene.”
The tenant is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court, where she will face murder charges.
Free State provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane has condemned the incident, calling on residents to find other ways to deal with conflict.
“Let us try to communicate verbally and address issues appropriately, without having to engage in fights,” said Motswenyane.