Police in Mpumalanga are investigating a fatal domestic shooting in Verena that left a woman and her three-year-old son dead. The suspected gunman was later found dead in his vehicle. Picture Credit: Communitypsychology
By Aisha Zardad
Mpumalanga – A domestic violence incident in Verena, Mpumalanga, has left a 43-year-old woman and her three-year-old son dead after the child’s father allegedly opened fire during a dispute before later taking his own life.
Police said the shooting occurred at around 11pm on Tuesday, when officers were called to a reported domestic violence situation at a home in the area.
Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said officers were met by a neighbour who reported hearing a heated argument between the couple shortly before the shooting.
According to police, the man allegedly drew a firearm during the dispute and shot his wife and their young son.
Investigators later found the woman lying outside the house with multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics declared her dead at the scene. The three-year-old boy was discovered inside the house with a gunshot wound and was also declared dead.
Police said several other people were caught in the shooting. The victim’s sister and her uncle were wounded and rushed to hospital for treatment.
The suspect’s six-year-old daughter was also injured during the incident but managed to escape and seek help from her grandmother. She was later taken to hospital and is reported to be in a stable condition.
Ndubane said the suspect fled the scene after the shooting, prompting police to search for him.
Officers later went to the suspect’s parents’ home in another section of Verena, where they found him inside his vehicle with a gunshot wound. He was declared dead at the scene.
Police believe the firearm used in the attack belonged to the suspect. The weapon has since been seized as part of the investigation.
Authorities are now investigating two counts of murder, four counts of attempted murder, and an inquest. The motive for the shooting remains under investigation.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of theSouth African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, condemned the killings, describing the incident as tragic and senseless.
