Several gunshots shattered the tranquillity of a local residential area that was just about to settle in for a quiet Monday evening.
An assailant had forced his way into the Makhado (Louis Trichardt) home of Ms Mapula Darlene Madiba (34) in Duiker Street, gunning her and a male friend down in cold blood. The friend was later identified as Mr Victor Mthokozisi Radebe (36), well-known as the assistant manager of Louis Trichardt Spar.
The incident happened around 18:30. Neighbours recall hearing seven shots and seeing the suspect flee the scene in a vehicle at high speed.
The Makhado Police confirmed that Radebe and Madiba were seated in the lounge, watching television, when they were attacked. “The suspect went straight to where the victims were relaxing, watching TV, after which an argument ensued and the suspect took out a 9mm pistol and fired shots at them,” said police spokesperson Const Irene Radzilane.
A bullet reportedly hit Radebe in the chest and he was already dead when neighbours rushed to the scene. He was slumped on the coach. Five bullets pierced Madiba’s body. She was lying in a pool of blood on the floor, miraculously still breathing. One of her neighbours, a doctor, tried to stabilize her but she later also passed away on the scene.
The Makhado police were quick to respond. They immediately launched a manhunt for the suspect. Later that same evening, the police managed to track down the vehicle in which the shooter had fled, near Vivo. The suspect himself was apprehended on Tuesday. The man was arrested and had yet to appear in court by the time of our going to press.
The suspect was allegedly known to Madiba. According to friends and neighbours, the shooter was her ex-boyfriend and she was in the process of obtaining a protection order against him. This after the man had allegedly assaulted Madiba, tying her up and beating her.
In the meantime, friends, family and work colleagues of Radebe were devastated to hear about his death. He had been working at the local Spar for more than 12 years.
Funeral arrangements had yet to be finalized for him and Madiba at the time of our going to press as most of their families are either from Gauteng or Polokwane.
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