In a horrifying incident that unfolded last night in Piet Retief, Mpumalanga, a 32-year-old man has been arrested by local police after allegedly committing the brutal murder of five members of his own family.
Mpumalanga family massacre: Here’s everything we know
The victims include a 71-year-old grandmother and three children aged three, eight, and 10. Another young woman, aged 22, miraculously survived the attack but remains in critical condition after reportedly being shot by the same suspect.
The shocking mass murder took place at approximately 18:15 on Thursday, 15 June 2023. According to reports, a family member had left the residence briefly to purchase food.
Upon returning, the individual noticed an unusual occurrence as the sound of a blaring radio emanated from inside the house. Growing concerned, the family member knocked on the door but received no response. Fearing something was amiss, they resorted to breaking in to investigate.
Inside the house, the family member encountered the suspect, who is also a relative, holding a firearm.
To their horror, they discovered the lifeless body of their grandmother and found their sister injured on the floor. Swift action was taken to transport the injured sister to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention.
Tragically, the lifeless bodies of three children were discovered in separate bedrooms.
Local authorities, along with paramedics, were promptly dispatched to the scene in Piet Retief. Regrettably, they were only able to certify the deaths of the three children and the grandmother.
The police have initiated an investigation into the incident, pursuing charges of four counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. Several cartridges and ammunition were recovered from the scene, providing crucial evidence for the ongoing investigation.
Thanks to the swift response and concerted efforts of the Piet Retief Police, under the guidance of the Provincial Commissioner, the suspect was swiftly apprehended and now faces charges related to the heinous crime.
During the arrest, a firearm suspected to have been used in the commission of the murders was seized for further examination.
The suspect is scheduled to appear before the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court on Monday, the 19th of June 2023.
Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, the Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, strongly condemned the tragic shooting that resulted in the loss of multiple family members.
She commended the swift response and efforts of the police personnel involved in bringing the suspect into custody.