A 46-year-old woman was fatally shot, allegedly by her partner, on Friday February 16 in Komatipoort.

The suspect (48) handed himself over to the police on February 17 at about 07:00. According to the provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, the suspect made a surprise visit to the residence of the victim.

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The woman’s child left her mother and the suspect arguing when she went to school.

“Her mother, who was employed as a SARS official, was preparing for work on Friday February 16 at about 06:00. Upon her daughter’s return from school she discovered that the door to the flat where they reside was surprisingly locked. The neighbours tried to assist in gaining entry to the flat after suspecting that something sinister could have happened to the woman,” said Mdhluli.

He also said that after the daughter and the neighbors managed to gain access to the flat, they discovered that the woman had sustained gunshot wounds, and was lying in a pool of blood.

The police as well as the paramedics were summoned to the scene, and upon arrival, the woman was certified dead by the paramedics.

A murder case was opened and the police immediately began their investigation. At the time of his arrest, police managed to recover a firearm with its serial number filed off.

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“The firearm will undergo ballistic testing to determine whether it was not previously used in the commission of crime elsewhere. Hence, at this stage, police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges against the suspect as the investigation continues,” he said.

The suspect has been charged with murder and is expected to appear in the Komatipoort Magistrate’s Court on February 19.