NELSPRUIT - A 38-year-old male suspect, Shakwane Muzi made his first appearance at Bushbuckridge Magistrate's Court yesterday, 22 August 2022 following an incident in which he allegedly murdered a man as well as attacked a woman on Friday night, 19 August 2022 at around 20:00.

According to the information, the accused reportedly caught his girlfriend in the house with a man who is alleged to have been in a relationship with the same woman as well. An argument is said to have ensued between the three where Muzi allegedly assaulted both his girlfriend as well as the other man with a brick and also hacked both of them with a garden hoe.

The woman sustained some injuries as a result and she was taken to hospital for medical treatment, meanwhile the man unfortunately succumbed to his injuries at the scene. He has since been identified as Bongani Shabalala from Saselani Trust near Bushbuckridge.

Subsequent to the case of murder with an additional charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm being opened by the police in Bushbuckridge, the accused was sought. Though he could not be found on the day of the incident but he reportedly handed himself to the police in the presence of his lawyer the following day, Saturday night, 20 August 2022.

During his court appearance yesterday, his case was postponed until 29 August 2022 for a formal bail application meanwhile he was remanded in custody.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has condemned the brutal incident and urged members of the public to resolve domestic issues in a civil manner rather than resorting to violence. "No matter how much one can feel offended, violence is not the way to go and two wrongs do not make a right. People should seek help from social services whenever they come across challenges in their relationships" said the General.

Source: South African Police Service