A three-year-old boy is fighting for his life in hospital after his parents were fatally shot by two gunmen in Senyameni, Mkhuhlu, last night, March 25.
A member of the community, who was too scared to be identified, said the victims were travelling in a vehicle when they were shot at. “I heard the gunshots and immediately told my kids to hide in the bathroom. I put off the light and peeped through the window. I only saw a vehicle reversing and suddenly coming to a complete halt. I was too afraid to go out and investigate,” said the woman.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Captain Mpho Nonyane-Mpe confirmed that three victims, aged 49, 28 and three, were shot by two unknown suspects as they were driving home to Section F in Mkhuhlu.
Responding to reports of a shooting, police arrived at the scene and found a white Toyota double-cab with Mpumalanga license plates.
“Inside the vehicle, the body of a 28-year-old female was discovered with gunshot wounds to the upper body. The male victim sustained gunshot wounds and was transported to hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries,” said Nonyane-Mpe.
“The three-year-old child who was also in the vehicle survived the incident and is regarded as a victim of attempted murder.”
Reports indicate that the driver attempted to reverse to evade the attack, but the vehicle struck a ditch and came to a standstill. After the shooting, the suspects fled the scene and have not yet been identified.
The motive for the attack remains unknown. A case of double murder and attempted murder has been opened and investigation is under way.
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SAPS is appealing to anyone who might have information that could assist in the investigation to contact Lieutenant Colonel Sikhumbuzo Ceko on 082 922 9902, or call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111, or the MySAPS app can be used to to report anonymously.
The acting Mpumalanga police commissioner, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, has strongly condemned the incident and assured the community that all necessary resources have been mobilised to apprehend the perpetrators.
Mkhuhlu has become known as ‘the land of blood’, with gun-related killings in the area amounting to over 60 in the past three years.
