The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, has called for call among the Eloff community after a 33-year-old man was shot dead over an alleged water dispute yesterday.

Mkhwanazi condemned the murder and urged residents to allow the police to carry out their duties.

The police spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, issued a statement in which she said the victim and the suspected shooter, a 71 year-old man, resided on the same premises with joined access to a JoJo tank which the landlord had installed for times when municipal water was unavailable.

This tank is situated in a garage on the suspect’s side of the premises.

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“The deceased allegedly attempted to enter the garage to switch on the pressure pump to access water. The suspect reportedly refused him entry.

“The deceased then allegedly forced his way to the tap, at which point the suspect shot him at close range, striking him in the left eye.

“The wife of the deceased attempted to enter the area where her husband had been shot but was threatened by the suspect, who allegedly warned that he would also shoot her. She then fled to her side of the house.”

According to the police, more than 100 community members gathered at the scene and became extremely agitated following the incident. They allegedly threatened to kill the suspect and burn down the house. He was immediately arrested.