On Sunday, February 26th, 2023, a domestic conflict in Bochum, Limpopo, ended in tragedy. Mokhapi Phalandwa, a 44-year-old paramedic, was shot and killed by her 55-year-old husband, Norman Phalandwa, who then turned the gun on himself. Preliminary investigations conducted by the police revealed that Mokhapi had obtained a protection order against her husband.
The husband had been living in a rented room in the area and it is believed that Mokhapi had gone to visit him at around 06:00 that morning. Norman then allegedly took out a firearm and shot his wife before turning the gun on himself. Police were called to the scene and found the two bodies lying in the street with gunshot wounds.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has urged people in relationships to seek assistance and advice when experiencing domestic challenges and to avoid using violence to resolve disputes. Police have opened dockets of murder and inquest in relation to the incident.
This tragedy serves as a reminder of the importance of getting help when it comes to domestic violence and of the dangers of using violence to resolve disputes. We must all work together to ensure that such incidents never happen again.