A young woman was gunned down at her home, allegedly by her ex-boyfriend, in Empumelelweni.

Witbank News reports that, less than 24 hours later, the suspect was found dead in an apparent suicide.

“He did not want to let her go,” said the victim’s mother, Phindile Hlophe.

Vosman Police Station spokesperson Captain Mnisi confirmed the initial murder report: “On February 3 at approximately 18:15, members of Vosman SAPS responded to a report of murder at Extension 5, Empumelelweni. Police found Londiwe Nhlapho inside her home with two gunshot wounds. Emergency medical services certified her dead at the scene.”

According to Hlophe, a child was in the home and witnessed the incident.

The child became suspicious when she saw the suspect enter the house, as the family had made it clear he was no longer welcome.

“The child saw him take out a firearm and shoot Nhlapho,” Hlophe said. “The child knelt down and prayed. When she looked up, the suspect was still there and pointed the gun at her before fleeing the scene.”

Hlophe said her daughter had been in an alleged troubled relationship with the suspect, marked by repeated fights.

“Nhlapho had made it clear she no longer wanted to continue the relationship and had even relocated to start a new life,” Hlophe said. “She came back only because she heard there were job opportunities.”

A manhunt was launched after the incident, but the suspect could not be located that night.

Captain Mnisi said: “On February 4, at about 10:00, police attended an inquest scene at a house in Extension 8, Empumelelweni. Inside, the body of the suspect was found lying on a couch with a firearm in his left hand. It appeared that the deceased had shot himself in the mouth, and the bullet had exited through the right eye.”

Hlophe added that the suspect had previously threatened her.

“He said I was the reason the relationship failed. Now my child is gone.”

Describing her daughter, Hlophe said: “My child was a very good person. She never had problems with anyone. She loved her family very much.”

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