Dimakatso Ratselane’s husband abandons bail application

Dimakatso Ratselane was stabbed multiple times, allegedly by her husband following a quarrel. The husband of Lesedi FM current affairs anchor, Dimakatso Ratselane, has abandoned his bail application.

Mackenzie Ratselane allegedly stabbed his wife multiple times almost two weeks ago. He faces four charges of attempted murder, kidnapping, unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition.

He appeared briefly in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court, and the case was postponed to March 23 for further investigations. The state says it is still awaiting a ballistic report and statements from three witnesses.

Last week, members of the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) picketed outside court. The group’s spokesperson, Kabelo Fihla, says the organisation will continue to fight for justice for women.

Dimakatso Ratselane’s Husband Arrested

We have all been waiting in anticipation to hear about the progress of Dimakatso Ratselane’s gut-wrenching case. The Lesedi FM current affairs journalist, allegedly suffered a gruesome attack at the hands of her husband Mackenzie Ratselane last week Thursday in Mangaung.

The horrific images of her bruised body circulated social media, traumatizing many. After allegedly stabbing his wife 49 times, Mackenzie left her for dead laying in a pool of blood and then fled the scene, making him a fugitive. Multiple news platforms are reporting that he was captured less than 24 hours after the police obtained a warrant of arrest.

The man was found by the Soweto Flying Squad, in conjunction with the Free State police hiding in Ennerdale, south of Johannesburg. A policeman by the name of Brigadier Motantsi Makhele confirmed to Daily Sun that he was arrested on Tuesday morning, “The Free State team supported by the Soweto flying squad went to a house in Ennerdale, south of Joburg where they found the suspect in hiding. He was taken into police custody.”

“Within 24 hours after his warrant of arrest was issued, the team worked around the clock following all leads until the early hours of Tuesday morning when they followed intelligence-driven information which led them to the house in Gauteng Province.”

The man now faces charges of attempted murder. Makhele then told IOL that the couple got into a heated argument after leaving their home to fetch their children last week Tuesday. This made her husband the last person to have seen her.

“She was not found by us (SAPS). It is alleged that the well-known radio presenter and her husband left their home in Mandela View travelling to Phase 2 (also in Mangaung) to fetch their children. Along the way, they quarrelled and ended up in an informal settlement known as Dinaweng,” he told the publication.

The SABC issued out a statement condemning this horrid act of gender based violence. “The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is saddened by the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) incident concerning one of its female news employee based in the Free State. The SABC wishes to express outrage and condemns the incident with the contempt it deserves.

“The Corporation views the horrendous incident as one of the enormous threats to the right to life, family stability, social progress, women advancement and productivity in the workplace. The SABC wishes the concerned employee a speedy recovery and will provide all the necessary support.

Read next: Zinhle Mabena In Court For Attempted Murder

Warrant of arrest issued for Dimakatso Ratselane’s husband

Lesedi FM presenter, Dimakatso Ratselane was reported to be in a critical state after being stabbed multiple times by her husband who is now on the run, as he’s a suspect.

A warrant of arrest has been obtained for him, as investigation carried out by the police claim he is the suspect, as he was the last person with Ratselane before she sustained the wounds.

CGE spokesperson, Javu Baloyi, on Monday said Ratselane’s stabbing forces society to confront GBV, particularly intimate partner violence (IPV).

The presenter’s husband has been on the run is February 11, and police are urging anyone with information to contact Captain Mojaki on 082 553 7639.

“If this is true, we call upon the South African government to use all the diplomatic channels and various Southern African Development Corporation (SADC) treaties and protocols to ensure that he is arrested and extradited back to South Africa,” Baloyi said.

“We encourage the public and family of Ratselane to stay put and allow the law to take its course.”

Lesedi FM radio host Dimakatso Ratselane stubbed 49 times by her husband

In yet another incident of Gender Based Violence in the country, a radio journalist by the name of Dimakatso Ratselane has been stabbed multiple times by her husband.

Entertainment commentator Phil Mphela tweeted about the Lesedi FM radio host’s ordeal and added that her husband is suspected for the stabbing. “LESEDI FM host Dimakatso Ratselane stabbed & in critical condition. The radio host was reportedly stabbed multiple times. Her husband, who is now a suspect, is still at large, according to recent reports.”

RADIO: LESEDI FM host Dimakatso Ratselane stabbed & in critical condition

The radio host was reportedly stabbed multiple times.

Her husband, who is now a suspect, is still at large, according to recent reports. #KgopoloReports pic.twitter.com/MyVvFWhS0Y

— Kgopolo Mphela (@PhilMphela) February 12, 2021

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) issued out a statement and condemned the stabbing.

The statement reads as follows:

“The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is saddened by the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) incident concerning one of its female news employee based in the Free State. The SABC wishes to express outrage and condemns the incident with the contempt it deserves.

“The Corporation views the horrendous incident as one of the enormous threats to the right to life, family stability, social progress, women advancement and productivity in the workplace. The SABC wishes the concerned employee a speedy recovery and will provide all the necessary support.

“As a public service broadcaster, the SABC remains an important institution for empowering citizens with valuable information, to create awareness regarding various social ills including the intractable and atrocious Gender-Based Violence. The SABC is committed to continuing playing its critical role in heightening citizen vigilance and consciousness in this matter.”

Images of the victim have been circulating around social media as well as her husband who is rumoured to be the one who had stabbed her.

Our ZAlebs have always remained vocal about issues of GBV especially when incidences of GBV reached an upsurge. Rapper Boity slammed men for their crimes against women. In a series of posts Boity shared her grievances stating, “Dear Men. All Men. YOU DO NOT OWN OUR BODIES. YOU ARE NOT SUPERIOR BEINGS. WE DO NOT OWE YOU OUR LIVES. WE DO NOT COME FROM YOUR F*CKIN RIB. NO MEANS NO! STOP KILLING US!”.

Bonang Matheba also urged people in government to keep the same energy when it came to GBV as they were more focused on alcohol and lockdown law-breakers.

Black Coffee and legions of celebrities are calling on government to take action. He started by organizing a march at 150 Commissioner Street, Soweto, hopeful that it would shine light on these atrocities.

We sincerely wish the radio presenter a speedy recovery.