One of the mayor’s bodyguards shot his wife in the early hours of Sunday morning and then turned the gun on himself.  He is still alive, but his wife, 36-year-old Duduzile Dorren Mbhele, died at the scene. The bodyguard was seriously injured, having shot himself in the head.

Ezakheni police responded to the incident, which happened just after midnight, and the bodyguard was taken to a local hospital by EMRS. He was later transferred to Durban for further treatment and is under police guard in Intensive Care (ICU), where he remains in critical condition.

The shooter has been named as Themba Mbhele, one of Mayor Vincent Madlala’s bodyguards.

Two firearms were found at the couple’s home in Inkanyamba Street, Ezakheni D-section (the scene of the shooting). Two spent cartridges were also recovered, indicating that two shots were fired.

It is still unclear as to what might have caused the bodyguard to kill the mother of his two-year-old child. (The couple were alone in the house at the time of the shooting; the child was not there) It is alleged that an argument broke out between the couple just after midnight on Sunday. The argument is said to have turned violent, with tragic consequences.

Ezakheni detectives are investigating a case of murder.

At the time of going to press, the municipality had not yet commented but are preparing an official comment which will be published soon.