Mphikeleli Shikwambana, 35, of Polokwane, South Africa, is accused of murdering his wife, Dr. Tshimangadzo Muofhe, 32, and then turning the pistol on himself.
Shikwambana worked at the Donald Frazer Hospital in Thohoyandou, and his wife worked at the Provincial Hospital in Polokwane.
The Provincial Head of SAPS Corporate Communication and Liaison, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, said in a statement that the corpses of the dead were discovered by a family member on Monday, March 27, 2023, at the Thornhill Estate in Polokwane.
According to Mojapelo, early inquiries showed that the pair fought earlier in the day and in the afternoon.
“The Police in Polokwane have opened cases of murder and inquest following an incident in which a 35-year-old Doctor attached to Donald Frazer hospital in Thohoyandou shot and killed his 32-year-old wife, also a Doctor attached to the Provincial Hospital in Polokwane.
The incident happened at Thornhill Estate in Polokwane yesterday, Monday 27 March 2023,” he stated.
The corpses of the dead were allegedly discovered by a family member returning from Vhembe in the afternoon, prompting the police to be contacted.
“Preliminary Police investigations revealed that the couple had a fight earlier in the day and the afternoon, the woman was then allegedly shot dead by her husband who thereafter turned the gun on himself,”
The motive for the incident is unknown at this stage but domestic violence cannot be ruled out.
“The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe urged people experiencing domestic challenges to seek assistance and resolve their issues instead of resorting to taking lives.” he added.
The Limpopo Health Department released a statement on Tuesday, lamenting the sad deaths of its medical professionals.
MEC for Health Dr. Phophi Ramathuba and interim HOD, Dr. Dombo, who were on the scene with the deceased’s families, characterized their deaths as a huge loss to the department.
“This is a sad day for me and the entire department. We are devastated. Losing such hardworking, dedicated, and promising young people is a blow for us as the department,” MEC Ramathuba said.
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