Family murder toll rises
2005-05-22 19:25
Malmesbury - The death toll in a family tragedy near Malmesbury has risen to five after the death of the killer's aunt.
Nobonabanye Penxe had been shot twice by Mbemxe Hledo, 33, who also killed his wife, baby daughter and mother before turning the gun on himself.
Police spokesperson Riaan Pool says Hledo shot his 63-year-old mother, Nowamdale Hledo, in her head at 15:15, before firing two shots into the chest of his baby girl, Cebokazi, who was in her arms.
When his wife, Nomfezeko, 24, tried to flee, he gunned her down in the street about 20m from the house.
"He shot her in the head," said Pool.
Hledo then saw 50-year-old Penxe, who lived nearby, running towards him and opened fire on her too.
"He ran towards her and at short range fired two shots into her chest.
"He then ran back to where his wife's body was lying in the street and knelt next to her," said Pool.
Two police officers who had been phoned about the shooting arrived on the scene, but "at that very moment, he put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger", Pool said.
Police found a licensed 9mm pistol next to Hledo's body, said Pool.
Hledo had moved in with his mother in Lingulethu, near Malmesbury, a week ago, joining his wife and child who had already lived there for some time.
- SAPA