RADIO PRESENTER’S HUSBAND ABANDONS BAIL QUEST

By Bongani Tshabalala

BLOEMFONTEIN – Police have arrested the husband of Lesedi FM news anchor Dimakatso Ratselane in connection with the attack on her last week.

The incident which left her severely injured, has added to the seemingly never-ending list of women who have fallen victim to gender-based violence (GBV). South Africa’s femicide rate is five times higher than the global rate, a 2018 report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) revealed.

Dimakatso is reportedly still fighting for her life at Netcare Private Hospital in Bloemfontein. She was stabbed multiple times by her attacker. Thereafter, the assailant left her for dead in a dwelling in the Caleb Motshabi informal settlement. She was reportedly discovered by a passer-by at midnight on Thursday (11 February).

Dimakatso hosts the current affairs show Matshohlo. The police obtained a warrant for the arrest of the victim’s spouse Mackenzie Ratselane on Monday after several attempts had failed to get a response from him for questioning regarding the attack. He was arrested on 15 February, in the morning in Ennerdale, Soweto in Gauteng province by members of the SAPA flying squad.

He was reportedly last been seen in the company of the victim on 9 February, when leaving their home in Mandela View approximately 20km outside Bloemfontein. Brig. Motantsi Makhele, FS Provincial Spokesperson said a case of attempted murder had been opened and the cause for the brutal attack is not yet known.

Earlier, the public was asked to assist in the search for Mackenzie, whose photo was circulated on social media. In addition to this, several people shared photos of Dimakatso in a hospital bed, while expressing their outrage over the attack. Her colleagues and Free State Premier, Sefora Ntombela have however condemned the sharing of these photos on Facebook.

“We must think about the damage such pictures might cause to her family, which is currently suffering as a result of this attack”, Ntombela said.

The case against Mackenzie Ratselane (39), has been postponed to 23 February for further investigation. Mackenzie abandoned his bail application. The state is waiting for other witnesses’ statements. He appeared on 23 February, and the new date is 23 March 2021. He is charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, kidnapping and attempted murder.