MOPANI – The police in Mopani are investigating several cases of murder, following incidents that took place in the area over the past weekend.

According to the spokesperson of the police in the area, Supt Moatshe Ngoepe, an 87-year-old woman was shot and killed by an unknown man at her Mhingaville home in the Saselemani area last Friday night at about 19:30. According to the police statement, the deceased was alone at home when the incident took place. The gunman fled after the incident and was still at large at the time of going to press. The suspect and the motive for the killing are unknown to the police.

In another incident, a 38-year-old sangoma, Mrs Nyiko Ngwenya of Hlubukani settlement, and her 37-year-old patient, Christopher Mhlongo were also shot and killed by unknown suspects. The incident took place at the sangoma’s Hlubukani village home on Sunday evening at about 19:00. The deceased’s bodies were found on Monday morning. According to the police statement, there was a bullet wound on Ngwenya’s head while Mhlongo had multiple stab wounds to the head. The statement further indicates that the police had found empty bullet cartridges at the scene. The reasons for their killing were not known and the killers were still at large at the time of going to press.

The other incident, where a 20-year-old woman, Abygale Phasaka, was killed, took place at Namakgale Township near Phalaborwa on Saturday night. According to the statement, the deceased’s body was found inside the dinning room of her house on Sunday morning. Her throat had been cut by a sharp instrument. The killers were still at large at the time of going to press. The police have appealed to anyone who has information relating to the incidents to contact them at the nearest police station.