Christmas Murder: Man Kills 7 in Bloody Attack Following Family Squabble
- A Limpopo man is in police custody after murdering 7 family members at around midnight on Christmas morning
- The suspect's victims include his two brothers, four children and one heavily pregnant woman believed to be his sister-in-law
- Limpopo Social Development MEC Nkakareng Rakgoale has expressed her shock at the attacks and is calling on South African families to work through their issues without violence
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It's been a tragic Christmas morning for one Limpopo family following the murder of 7 family members in Jimmy Jones Village, outside Malamulele.
Source: Getty Images
A suspect is in police custody after opening fire on 7 people including his two brothers, four children and a heavily pregnant woman who is believed to be the wife of one of the deceased brothers.
It's alleged the shooting took place following a heated family squabble. The suspect, who's a registered nurse had used his own licensed firearm to carry out the murders, News24 reports.
Speaking with The Citizen, Limpopo Social Development MEC Nkakareng Rakgoale has condemned the murder and is calling on families to seek professional help for their disputes.
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“It is very saddening to hear about this incident on Christmas Day. This is a time for families to live in peace and harmony. We are urging people who are having challenges in their families to talk to our social workers who will, among other things, activate our family preservation programme," she told the publication.
The suspect has been placed in custody after handing himself over to the police.
He faces 7 counts of murder.
'Yeses!': Quantum driver, 16, arrested for running over child, 3, in Cape Town
In related news, Briefly News previously reported that a 16-year-old is in police custody following an incident in which a three-year-old child was run over by a Toyota Quantum minibus taxi in an apparent hit and run in Cape Town.
The incident happened in the Vrygrond area on Tuesday afternoon. The child was declared dead by paramedics who attended the scene shortly after 12.15 pm, according to a News24 report.
Muizenberg police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi confirmed the incident, adding that the driver fled the scene before he was later tracked down by police and arrested. A culpable homicide docket has since been opened.
"On arrival, officers found the three-year-old deceased on the ground. Medical personnel arrived and found that the child had succumbed to their injuries. The person involved [in the accident] fled the scene but was later apprehended," said Swartbooi.
"The suspect was taken into custody and has already made his first appearance in the Muizenberg Magistrate's Court. He is facing a charge of culpable homicide, added Swartbooi.
Efforts to curb further incidents
At the time of publishing this story, Briefly News was unable to confirm whether the driver is facing an additional charge of fleeing the scene of an accident. South African law stipulates that a driver involved in a road accident that seriously injures or kills someone is required by law to stop their vehicle and remain at the scene.
TimesLIVE reported that City of Cape Town ward councillor, Mandy Marr, said law enforcement is working to get to the bottom of what exactly transpired. It's understood she intends to engage the local taxi association in a meeting to discuss the incident.
"The roads in Vrygrond are extremely narrow. During the festive season, children in the community gather in their numbers to play in the streets. However, in light of this incident, it is important to look out for our children and discourage drunk driving," said Marr.
Although lamenting the incident, various social media users expressed polarising views in response to the news reports circulating on the incident.
Source: Briefly News
