A man who allegedly shot his wife and four of her relatives in eMzinoni yesterday handed himself over to the police in Ermelo, Mpumalanga.

According to eMzinoni police spokesperson, Sergeant Cynthia Mtsweni, the suspect and his wife have marital problems and were separated for the past three months.

The suspect went to house of his in-laws at Ext 4, Kanana Section at about 15:00. Mtsweni said the suspect began to argue with his wife and when she tried to run away from him, he shot her in the leg and neck.

He then allegedly turned the gun on her sister and brother-in-law whom he shot in the chest. The gunman also shot his father-in-law in the back.

“The bullet exited from the father-in-law’s chest,” said Mtsweni. They died on the scene.

Mtsweni said the suspect continued shooting at random as he fled. The shooting happened in front of the couple’s 13-year-old child.

Mtsweni said the shooter drove to Ermelo where he handed himself over at the police station.

“The suspect left a voice note to his brother saying that he is going to hand himself at Ermelo Police station as well as the firearm, a 9mm Beretta with 7 rounds.”

Mtsweni said the wife was transferred to Witbank Hospital and is in a critical condition.

The suspect will soon appear in the Bethal Magistrate’s Court on three counts of murder and also on attempted murder.