A 56-year-old man is in custody following a tragic shooting that claimed the life of his 17-year-old son and injured his wife and older son during a heated family argument in Mandela village, near Mashashane in Limpopo.
The incident unfolded in the early hours of New Year’s Day, around 2 a.m., when the man returned home apparently under the influence of alcohol. He reportedly found his 55-year-old wife chatting with a neighbor and quickly started quarreling with her.
Things escalated when the couple’s two sons aged 17 and 20 stepped in to calm the situation. That’s when the father allegedly drew his licensed firearm and opened fire.
The younger son was struck in the head and sadly passed away at the scene, despite paramedics’ efforts. His brother was shot in the hand, while the mother suffered a gunshot wound to her thigh. Both are receiving treatment.
The man fled on foot right after the shots rang out, sparking an immediate police search. Officers tracked him down later that morning, around 11:30, hiding in a nearby primary school.
During the arrest, he allegedly pointed the gun at police, prompting officers to shoot him in the hand in self-defense. He’s now hospitalized under police watch and will face charges including murder, three counts of attempted murder, and pointing a firearm.
Limpopo’s acting police commissioner, Major General Jan Scheepers, condemned the violence, highlighting concerns over gender-based issues in the province. He urged people struggling with relationship problems to seek counseling instead of turning to aggression.
The man is set to appear in the Seshego Magistrate’s Court soon, though possibly in absentia while he recovers. Investigations continue.