THOHOYANDOU -

Police spokesperson Capt Ailwei Mushavhanamadi said Insp Robert Nemukula (42) of Muledane, Block J, who was attached to the Thohoyandou Police Station was found in a pool of blood, together with his wife Grace (36) on Thursday afternoon. Mushavhanamadi said they broke the door of Nemukula's house after the community complained about a bad smell coming from the house.

Neighbours said they heard gunshots on Tuesday evening but took it lightly thinking that it might be happening in the street. The couple's five year-old daughter was seen standing on the window, on Wednesday pleading for food, stating that her parents had locked her in when they left for a visit.

Unfortunately the neighbours did not take her seriously until the following day, Thursday, when she made the same plea and the neighbours decided to call the police, as there was a bad smell.

The police went to the house, broke the door and found the couple in a pool of blood. According to the neighbours, they were not aware of any problems that the couple had.

"As the police we are very touched by this death. We are losing police officers at a time when we need more members in our challenging job," said Mushavhanamadi while adding that they have lost two more police officers in other incidents. Other police officers who died are Insp David Managa of Thohoyandou police station who was killed in a car accident. Mushavhanamadi said Managa was driving along Punda Maria road from Louis Trichardt to Thohoyandou. The incident happened near Tshilidzini hospital on Monday evening, while he was on official duty in a police van.

A female police officer is recovering at Donald Frazer Hospital after she sustained serious injuries as a result of an axe attack at Khubvi Village. The incident also happened on Monday evening.

Another police Inspector Ramudzuli Muhovha (46) of Raliphaswa died after a short illness on September 2. He was buried on September 7.