A 55-year-old resident of Hakhakhu Makuleni village allegedly injured his wife seriously before hanging himself in a nearby bush on Tuesday, 31 August.
According to a source from within the community, who prefers to remain anonymous, the deceased, identified as Colbert Rambuwani (55), had received information that his wife was having a love affair with another man.
The source said a fight seemed to have started inside the house. The woman, accompanied by her daughter, then went outside. Rambuwani followed his wife to the orchard and confronted her, whereafter he allegedly hit her on the head and on her hand with a spade. When the daughter tried to interfere, the man hit her with the spade too. She fell down and community members who saw the attack came to rescue of the injured woman and her daughter.
The man allegedly rushed into the bushes after that. They later found out that he had hanged himself. The news of the incident spread like wildfire and within a short space of time people from the surrounding areas were gathering at the scene.
Provincial police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo said that the exact circumstances leading to the tragedy were yet to be investigated. The injured woman was taken to a local clinic where she is being treated.
"We would like to urge people to desist from violence in the event of misunderstandings. They should rather try to resolve their disputes in an amicable manner, or opt for counselling to avoid unnecessary loss of life," said Mojapelo.