Mother arrested after son found lying on wheelchair and his head on the ground

A 48-year old mother has been arrested after she allegedly cut off the head of her disabled son in Lebowakgomo, Limpopo, on Friday.

Provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, said: “A report was lodged about the murder of a young man at around 13:00 on Friday, 03 May 2024.

“Upon arrival of the police at the scene next to the tavern, they found the decapitated body of an 18-year old man lying on his wheelchair and his head on the ground. Shockingly, there were no people found on the scene.

“Police commenced with initial investigations, and the deceased’s mother was located. Subsequent to thorough investigations, she was positively linked to the murder of her own son and arrested.

“Police have also seized a knife at the scene allegedly used by the suspect to cut off the victim’s head.”

Mashaba said the motive behind the gruesome murder is not yet known.

Provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, described the incident as “heart breaking “and “horrendous”, and that it has affected the community and the SAPS family.

She was scathing in the condemnation of the act: “While the police are duty bound to protect and serve the public, the parents have a critical role to nurture and protect their children. The horrendous act by the senseless mother is condemned in its contempt. The law will take its course without fear or favour.”