Man shoots girlfriend, self
2007-09-30 13:37
Johannesburg - An SA National Defence Force employee shot himself and his estranged girlfriend in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday after a heated argument, police said.
Superintendent Henry Budhram on Sunday said Pietermaritzburg traffic officer Ntuli 'Ruth' Makhosazana, 45, was returning from the city to her Fourie Road home in Westgate with a friend.
The friend told police that when they entered the home they were confronted by a man, Budhram said.
She claimed that she did not know the man.
"He apparently produced a firearm and grabbed Ntuli. The frightened friend says she ran off to the neighbours and contacted police."
When police arrived at the scene, the woman told officers she heard several gunshots and her friend scream.
"Police entered the home and found Ntuli lying on the floor, shot and wounded. Next to her was a man. On top of his chest was a 9mm pistol," Budhram said.
Netcare 911 spokesperson, Chris Botha said the man was confirmed dead at the scene while the woman sustained gunshot wounds to her arm, abdomen, chest and other parts of her body.
She was taken to St Anne's Hospital in a critical condition. Police say she has since been stabilised.
A police source and a traffic official said the dead man was Ntuli's estranged boyfriend. The police source said Ntuli had a restraining order against him and that he worked for the SA National Defence Force.
He said police would also investigate a second claim.
"Police have also been told another version of this story. Ntuli arrived home alone and found her boyfriend drinking with another woman," he said.
"An argument ensued and that's when the other woman ran off and contacted police. The boyfriend allegedly shot Ntuli six times and then turned the gun on himself and pulled the trigger," said the detective.
Budhram said he could not confirm this second claim but said police did find a liquor bottle at the scene.
"A case of attempted murder and an inquest docket has been opened. Police would investigate further," he said.
Officials at the Pietermaritzburg Traffic department said they could not comment on the matter.
- SAPA