NELSPRUIT – A parolee, aged 39, was fatally shot after he was allegedly found inside a farmhouse which was ransacked in Hendrina on Sunday evening, 02 October 2022.

Police were summoned to Vlaakfontein farm in Hendrina to attend to a shooting incident. Upon arrival, police found a lifeless body of Mr Joseph Vilakazi who sustained some gunshot wounds. Four individuals who identified themselves as farmers were also present and introduced themselves to the police as neighbours of an elderly couple who went to hospital to be treated for shock after the shooting incident.

The report indicates that police were informed that the couple returned home from an outing and on their arrival at about 18:30 and as they opened the door, they were accosted by an intruder, armed with a knife in his hand.

Thereafter the alleged suspect was somehow shot by the 70-year-old man. Vilakazi is said to have tried to find refuge through the window upstairs during which he sustained further injuries. The man was certified dead on the scene.

Through a further probe police have established that the suspect was previously linked to rape and house robbery cases, about 14 housebreaking and theft cases, assault with intention to cause grievous bodily harm, hence he was previously sentenced to 15 year imprisonment and was currently out on parole.

Police are busy probing the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting incident and the docket will thereafter be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution for decision.

Meanwhile the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has indicated that a team of investigators will work tirelessly to probe the incident meanwhile the General raised her concern about the attack by suspects on elderly people including in the farming community.

Source: South African Police Service