Police open murder and inquest dockets after husband shot and killed wife and thereafter turned the gun on himself in apparent domestic conflict

POLOKWANE - A 44-year-old Paramedic who had a protection order issued against her paramedic husband, was shot and killed by the same husband who thereafter turned the gun on himself at Bochum location under Senwabarwana policing area this morning, Sunday 26 February 2023.

Preliminary investigation conducted by the Police revealed that the woman, identified as Mokhapi Phalandwa, obtained a protection order against her husband Norman Phalandwa aged 55. The husband reportedly decided to move out of the house to stay in a rented room in the area.

It is alleged that the wife visited her husband at his rented room this morning at about 06h00. He allegedly took out a firearm and shot his wife and thereafter shot himself.

The Police were called and on arrival they found both bodies lying in the street with gunshot wounds.

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe is again urging people in a relationship to seek advice and assistance when experiencing domestic challenges and refrain from resorting to extreme violence that involves taking lives.

Police have opened cases of murder and inquest.

Source: South African Police Service