The Limpopo mass murder that occurred in Jimmy Jones Village, near Malamulele, this weekend has spoiled Christmas festivities in the region.
Limpopo mass murder: Here’s what we know
in a statement, police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo confirmed the suspect, whose identity has been concealed pending his first court appearance, handed himself over to authorities in the Thohoyandou district, hours after executing his relatives.
At this time, and without a full picture of what transpired inside the residence, homicide detectives working on the case have not revealed much about what is known so far.
However, from what we understand, seven family members were allegedly gunned down by the male suspect. According to local newspapers in the region, the mass murder took place at approximately 00:20 on Christmas Day. The exact time of the killings is still not verified, however, since other reports suggest the incident took place on Saturday 24 December 2021.
One undisputed fact, though, is that the victims of the Limpopo mass murder include four children and three adults, of which one was a pregnant woman.
“Shortly after midnight, the suspect, who is employed as a nurse, shot and killed his two brothers, a wife who was pregnant and four children, using his licensed firearm. Investigators are still collating other information, including the ages of the deceased,” Mojapelo explained.
The man responsible for the Limpopo mass murder is in police custody and undergoing an interrogation process to further understand the motive behind his actions. From what’s been reported thus far, it’s believed the suspect, who resided with his brothers and their respective wives, may have reacted, in a fit of rage, to a long-brewing conflict.
The unidentified murderer will appear in a district court next week where he is expected to face at least seven counts of murder. It remains to be seen if the unborn child will be accounted for on the charge sheet.
This is a developing story.