A sad loss to the community? I think not.

This is what the municipality had to say in an official press release:

“The Emnambithi/Ladysmith Municipality would like to express their sincerest condolences to the family of Mr Themba Mbhele who served as bodyguard to the Mayor of Emnambithi/Ladysmith Cllr MV Madlala. Mr Mbhele had served and protected the first citizen of Ladysmith for the past 10 years and was called to rest on 24 July 2014 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital in Durban. May his soul rest in peace.”

This is a man who shot dead his wife and then turned the gun on himself.

Yes, his death is tragic, but where are the condolences to the family of his wife, 36-year-old Duduzile Dorren Mbhele?

The municipal response is an insult to women abused everywhere, and shows a total lack of tact and understanding.

Themba Mbhele is a murderer who shot his wife dead in cold blood. There is no nice way of putting it. He left his child without parents by then turning the gun on himself. He died later in hospital.

I am appalled that the municipality dare release such a statement to the media.