MOPANI – The police in Mopani are investigating a case of murder, attempted murder and suicide. This follows a dramatic incident that took place at the Magagapate settlement near Giyani, on Monday night at about 20:00.

According to the spokesperson of the police in Mopani, Capt Moatshe Ngoepe, it is alleged that the deceased, Bethuel Mamaila (29), had proceeded to his former girlfriend's home during the night of the incident. The statement indicates that the occupants of the deceased's home saw Mamaila from a distance.

They dispersed and locked themselves inside different rooms, after realizing that the deceased was armed. The victim, Mokgadi Maake (20), and her mother locked themselves inside one room. On arrival, Mamaila forced open the door of the room in which Maake and her mother, Mrs Rosemary Lebea (60), had locked themselves.

According to the police statement, he chopped Maake with a panga on the head, until she collapsed and died at the scene. He then proceeded to Lebea whom he also chopped on the head. Lebea was taken to the nearby Nkhensani Hospital, where her condition was reportedly stable at the time of going to press.

Mamaila went back to his home after the incident. The statement indicates that, on arrival at home, he allegedly drank a poisonous liquid substance. The police found him lying in the street later that night. They took him to Nkhensani Hospital, where he died on Tuesday morning.

According to the statement, Maake and Mamaila had a love affair over the past years, and that Maake had jilted him recently. Mamaila was not willing to part ways with Maake, and he consequently developed a spirit of jealousy towards her. The police are investigating the matter further.