The police in Secunda, Mpumalanga, have launched a manhunt after a woman and her six-year-old son were shot in their townhouse, allegedly by her estranged husband.

Local police spokesperson Constable Busi Mthethwa confirmed Nobantu Joyce Nxenye (38) was shot about eight times in her home at Maruleni townhouses in Fraser Street, Ext 22, on Thursday night. Her attacker, who is believed to be armed and dangerous, is still at large.

Nxenye and her sons (aged 19, 15 and six) were at home with the suspect, Ndumiso Wisdom Ndimande (33).

Mthethwa said the couple are in a traditional marriage, and apparently in the process of separation at the time of the incident.

A heated argument erupted between the two at about 20:30.

“The boys heard the shouting and were in the passage when they heard shots being fired. They saw their bleeding mother on the floor in the doorway of the main bedroom,” Mthethwa said.

Ndimande, who is not the boys’ father, allegedly threatened the teens that they would be shot the next day.

“By this time, the little boy, Philasande Sishayo, ran past them to his mother and was consequently shot in the right lower leg,” Mthethwa explained.

Ndimande reportedly fled the scene in his car, a white Toyota Avanza, with registration number KMX 314MP. The unemployed Ndimande apparently used this vehicle to transport children to and from school.

The two older boys picked up their mother and little brother and rushed them to Evander Hospital in their mother’s car. A neighbour had by this time phoned the police.

The police arrived to an empty, but open townhouse. The teenagers later arrived at their home and told the police what had happened.

Nxenye has since been transported to Witbank Hospital for emergency surgery for bullet wounds to her chest and neck. Little Philasande is still in hospital where he is being treated for the gunshot wound in his leg.

They have addresses for Ndimande in Ermelo and Barberton, but he has not been to these.

The police believe Ndimande still has his 9mm pistol with him and therefore warn the public not to confront him, but to rather urgently contact the police.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts must contact Detective Captain Petro Bester on 082 494 8595 or Detective Constable TB Mofokeng on 083 508 0933.