KwaDukuza salon worker Thembile Mpanza (24) was shot dead at work on Sunday afternoon, allegedly by her boyfriend, who then turned the gun on himself.

According to iLembe police spokesperson Priya Nunkumar, Mpanza was killed at Hair by Themby Tee salon on King Shaka Street.

Her boyfriend, Philani Mthembu, had allegedly arrived at the salon and asked to speak to Mpanza, but she refused. After an exchange, Mpanza reportedly called police, but she was shot three times before officers arrived.

Mthembu then allegedly shot himself.

“Both the victim and suspect were declared dead by paramedics at the scene,” said Nunkumar.

Police recovered a Norinco 9mm pistol with its serial number filed off, a magazine and four rounds of live ammunition.

The killing comes amid an increase in several serious crime categories recorded at KwaDukuza police station.

As reported by the Courier last week, murder cases increased from 20 to 24 between April and June this year compared with the same period in 2025, while attempted murders more than doubled from 20 to 42.

Common assault cases increased from 177 to 207, while cases of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition rose from 16 to 24.