Domestic violence increases as a result of lockdown
The assailant is alleged to have proceeded to Hlalanikahle at Vosman, where he fatally shot the victim’s mother.
Two women have been shot at in Emalahleni, one seriously injured and the other fatally.
According to police reports, the incident started with an argument between two men at a Mine Site at Phola in Ogies near Emalahleni. The heated argument allegedly continued with the one man drawing a firearm, shot at the other man but failed. The gunman then moved to where the woman was working and fired several shots, injuring her.
The victim was rushed to hospital for medical assistance.
The assailant is alleged to have proceeded to Hlalanikahle at Vosman, where he fatally shot the victim’s mother. Paramedics certified her dead at the scene.
Members of the community notified police and a manhunt was launched. The suspect’s vehicle was spotted by police and a high speed chase ensued. When the suspect realized that he was cornered, he allegedly turned the gun on himself and his car crashed. He was was certified dead at the scene.
Preliminary investigations, according to provincial police spokesman, Brigadier Leonard Hlathi, revealed that the firearm used during the incidents was illegal as its serial number was filed off.
Meanwhile, on 30 March 2020, police issued a media statement of incidents where two women were murdered at Kwaggafontein, as well as at Kwamhlanga.
READ: Two women killed in separate incidents in Mpumalanga
The investigation of the murder at Kwamhlanga revealed that the incident was a domestic related issue where the woman had applied for a Protection Order which was served on the suspect. Both were supposed to have attended court on the day of the incident.
Themba Ntuli, who is a suspect in the Kwamhlanga murder, has since been arrested by police on Tuesday, 31 March 2020 and has already made his appearance at Kwamhlanga Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 02 March 2020, as well as Friday 03 March 2020.
His case was postponed to Tuesday, 07 March 2020, for formal bail application.
Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt.General Mondli Zuma has, on several occasions, pleaded with members of the public to refrain from using violence to resolve domestic issues.
Zuma has also indicated that people should use the Lock-down period to fix their differences amicably and start a new life rather than using it to perpetuate domestic violence against women, as well as children. He said they should avoid violence, but rather try to make use of available structures such as Social Workers, Traditional Leaders and many more to intervene, as well as to resolve their matters amicably.
