The family of a well-known Gugulethu tavern owner, who allegedly killed his wife, claim the man beat her 2 weeks before.
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Cape Town - The family of a well-known Gugulethu tavern owner, who allegedly killed his wife last Sunday, claim the man beat her two weeks before.
Thembile Vokozela, 47, commonly known as “Morris”, is in police custody for allegedly killing his wife, Ntombekhaya Vokozela, pictured, at their NY 48 home in Gugulethu.
She was the mother of three children.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel André Traut confirmed that the body of the 42-year-old woman had been found.
He said a man believed to be the suspect was found unconscious in the home.
“We suspect he made an attempt to commit suicide.”
The family said that Vokozela had overdosed on pills and was rushed to hospital. After treatment, he was taken to Pollsmoor Prison where he was awaiting his bail hearing on January 17.
Grace Gontsi, the mother of the dead woman, told the Cape Argus that her daughter had laid a charge of domestic violence against Vokozela two weeks before her death.
Soon after she had gone to the police station, Gontsi said, Vokozela had kicked down her door looking for his daughter.
On Thursday, Vokozela’s son Thembisile Vokozela, 25, went to the Gugulethu police station with his grandmother to seek a protection order against his father, fearing for their safety.
“My younger siblings are scared and so is my mom’s side of the family,” he said, adding that although he was not afraid of his father, he wanted his family protected.
Thembisile Vokozela said he was still shocked by the tragedy. He said his mother had been very kind.
He said he believed that putting his father behind bars was the best thing for his family.
Gontsi said she hoped that Vokozela rotted in jail.
“I want him to serve the rest of his life in prison. He is a risk around people,” she said.
zodidi.dano@inl.co.za
Cape Argus