Police in Kabokweni, Mpumalanga, are investigating a tragic incident that unfolded in Selega on Monday afternoon, where a 39-year-old man took his own life after shooting and injuring a woman of the same age.
According to initial reports, the incident stemmed from a heated argument between the two individuals. In the midst of the altercation, the man allegedly shot the woman, wounding her in the right hand, before turning the firearm on himself.
Authorities and paramedics swiftly responded to the distress call, arriving at the scene to find the man’s lifeless body with a gunshot wound. The injured woman was immediately rushed to a medical facility for urgent treatment, while officers secured the area for further examination.
Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli confirmed that law enforcement has launched an inquest alongside a case of attempted murder. Investigators are still working to uncover the precise motive behind the harrowing event, which remains shrouded in mystery.
A significant discovery at the scene was an unlicensed firearm lying next to the deceased man. Although the weapon contained no ammunition, it has been confiscated for forensic analysis to aid in the ongoing probe.
Reacting to the shocking development, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, the acting provincial commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, expressed strong condemnation of the act, emphasizing its apparent connection to gender-based violence. He lamented the moral decay evident in society, particularly during a time when communities should be fostering compassion and care.
This heartbreaking case is not an isolated occurrence. Last year, police in Limpopo launched a manhunt for a police sergeant accused of brutally murdering his wife and their domestic worker in a cold-blooded attack. That incident, which unfolded in October within the Masisi policing area of the Vhembe district, underscored the alarming prevalence of such violent crimes.
As the investigation into the Kabokweni shooting continues, authorities urge communities to address conflicts through peaceful means and seek help when facing volatile situations, rather than resorting to violence.
