MUSINA - Investigators are still puzzled about the possible motive for the multiple shooting incidents on two farms near Musina, which left six people dead and three, including an infant, wounded.

The swift reaction by the SAPS in Musina probably averted a further exacerbation of the tragedy.

So far, nobody could shed any light on the reasons why a 39-year- old senior professional hunter, Mr Chaiphus Madima from the Klein Bolayi hunting lodge, went on the rampage with his 9mm pistol, killing five people and wounding several others, before turning the gun on himself, during the early hours of last Sunday.

According to police reports, it would seem as if the tragedy was triggered during a drinking bout late Saturday night, at the living quarters of the staff at Klein Bolayi, which was also attended by several people from the neighbouring farm, Evelyn. After an argument at the house of Mr Madima, the residents of Evelyn left. After their departure, Mr Madima apparently followed them by car. He parked the car some distance from the living quarters on Evelyn and went there on foot. The first person he met was 27-year-old Mr Daniel Sophari. He started firing and Mr Sophari was killed instantly. During the rest of a continuous shooting spree, Mr Piet Sophari was seriously injured, while Mr April Sophari, who was also a qualified professional hunter, and Mr Madima’s second in charge, was fatally wounded. Mr Piet Khobe, who was reported missing after the shooting bout, was found dead in the veld nearby, the next morning.

Mr Madima then apparently returned to his vehicle. Before returning to Klein Bolayi, he allegedly told a neighbour that he had shot some people and that he was going to kill himself.

Back at Klein Bolayi, he shot and killed 22-year-old Mr George Manvengena in front of his home and then turned his gun on 30-year-old Mrs Khunekeni Munyai, who was mortally wounded in front of her house. She died shortly afterwards. The wild shooting continued. A person who fled on a bicycle was wounded in his foot. A three-year-old infant on her mother’s hip was also wounded in her hand and foot, when her mother tried to dodge the attack. These two wounded were later treated at the Musina hospital and discharged. Mr Piet Sophari was admitted to hospital with serious wounds.

Shortly after the Police had been alerted and assisted in taking some of the seriously wounded to hospital, a report was received that Madima had indicated that he was also going to shoot the owner of Klein Bolayi Hunting Lodge, Dr Dirk Lempertz. The Police immediately alerted Dr Lempertz and rushed to assist him. While the police were still on the phone, the burglar alarm was triggered in one of the outbuildings at the lodge.

Police units found indications that Madima, who as foreman possessed the keys to the outbuilding, could have purposely triggered the alarm. All units of the SAPS in Musina took part in assisting the victims and trying to avoid further fatalities.

Madima’s body was found the next morning in a room in the outbuilding with his pistol in his hand. He had apparently shot himself. The police investigation into the weekend’s horror continues.