An elderly trainee traditional healer was hacked to death in Maphumulo after a violent altercation at a shared homestead.

The 62-year-old woman was killed in the Pitsini area on Sunday, September 7, allegedly by a fellow trainee following a dispute at the homestead where they lived together.

“It is alleged that on the day of the murder, the man chased the traditional healer’s daughters around the homestead for causing a noise disturbance. He then picked up a gardening hoe, chased all the occupants outside and smashed the windows of the house,” said iLembe police spokesperson Priya Nunkumar-Bukum.

The terrified group fled to the road for help, but the elderly woman tripped and fell.

“Her body was found with severe head wounds and she was declared deceased. He then returned to the homestead, where he was later arrested,” she said.

The 27-year-old man appeared in the Maphumulo Magistrate’s Court on Thursday and was remanded in custody, pending further investigation.

Firearm arrest at Sundumbili toll plaza

In an unrelated case, a 45-year-old man was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition in Mandeni.

He was stopped at the Sundumbili toll plaza on September 7, following a tip-off to police.

“The man, who was a passenger, was found in possession of a 9mm pistol and four live rounds of ammunition,” said Nunkumar-Bukum.

“He was charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition. The firearm was seized and will be sent for ballistic testing.”

The man appeared in the Nyoni Magistrate’s Court and he remains in custody while investigations continue.

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