Mother Kills Lover On Valentine's Day During Argument Over Cigarette

A 32-year-old South African woman is facing murder charges for killing the father of her 7-year-old son during a fight on Valentine’s Day, over a cigarette

Natasha Beyers appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Monday, Feb.21, where she was granted R3 000 ($199 approx.) bail.

North Gauteng regional spokesperson for the director of public prosecutions Lumka Mahanjana said that Natasha allegedly killed her live-in partner, Arthur Dobson, after he assaulted her during a heated argument stemmed over a cigarette.

"It is alleged that on 14 February 2022, the couple got into an argument over a cigarette, the deceased assaulted Beyers and she stabbed him with a knife. The (man) then locked Beyers in the house and drove off," Mahanjana said.

"It is alleged that when he got to Fred Nicholson and Lambert Lee streets, he fainted. The car lost control and went off the road and hit a tree."

By the time police arrived at the scene, the paramedics had already attended the injured man and certified him dead, according to reports.

A subsequent investigation led officers to Dobson’s home, which he shared with Beyers.

"Upon their arrival, police found Beyers locked inside the house and informed them the deceased had taken the key. The police found the key inside the car and informed Beyers of the deceased passing," Majanhana said.

"After inquiring about what had happened, Beyers admitted to stabbing the deceased and pointed to the police where the incident took place and the weapon used. Beyers was arrested on the scene."

Beyers’s attorney read out an affidavit in the court in which she admitted to stabbing Dobson and requested to be released on bail.

Prosecutor Nkhangweleni Phanuel Mudavhi reminded the court about Beyers’ two previous convictions for theft and perjury and said it would not be in the best interests of justice to release her on bail.

"Having been found guilty of perjury before, what evidence does the court have that she will be honest and abide by her bail conditions? Secondly, since there is evidence that the accused is using drugs, chances are, she might commit schedule one offence," said Mudavi. "It is our submission that bail is denied."

However, Beyers was granted bail after the judge pointed out that it was not a flight risk and it was unlikely that she would evade trial.

Beyers will be back in court on March 24, 2022, pending further investigations.