Wife of alleged genital 'collector' killed in Lesotho
The hawks says the wife of the Danish man accused of mutilating women's genitals and keeping their clitorises in his fridge has been shot dead in her home country, Lesotho.
Spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi says Anna Matseliso Molise, 28, was shot four times next to the gate of her house in Maseru last night.
"It is suspected to be a hit," he said.
The Hawks are waiting for feedback from the South African High Commissioner in Lesotho about co-operation from the authorities there in investigating the matter.
Mulaudzi says they are deeply saddened about the murder as she has been an integral part of the investigation.
Following her husband's arrest, Molise returned to Lesotho, leaving behind two of her children.
She turned down an offer for witness protection.
She would have testified for the State in the case against the 63-year-old Danish man, who lived in Bloemfontein and owned a gun shop in the city. He was arrested at his Langenhoven Park home during a police raid last month.
He was facing charges including sexual assault and contraventions of the Medicines Control Act. 21 packages with parts of women's clitorises were found in his freezer, as well as surgical equipment and photographs of female genitalia.
Mulaudzi says despite the setback, they are committed to seeing the case through.
The man abandoned his bail application in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on October 5.
He may not be named until he has pleaded to the sexual assault charge.
Police established that he was fined R2 500 in February for illegal possession of an elephant tusk.
He was allegedly wanted in Denmark for illegal firearm transactions and reportedly fled Denmark to evade these charges.
His case will continue on November 4.
(File photo)