MUKULA - On Saturday, hundreds of shocked and devastated mourners were paying their last respect during the funeral service of a man who hacked his wife to death before taking his own life, at the rural area of Mukula-Mukondeni in Venda.

Mr Joseph Ndou (49) who fathered five children chopped his wife Mrs Lucy Ndou (44) to death in front of his second born son, Azwidihwi Ndou (22). The son tried to intervene but was also chopped by the angry father, and rushed to the Donald Fraser hospital for treatment.

He was later found dead, hanging from tree in his orchard nearby his home.

Capt Ailwei Mushavhanamadi, spokesperson of the SAPS in Vhembe, told Mirror that police in Vhembe had opened a murder and inquest docket following the death of the couple, although both of them are dead.

“We are pleading the families who are experiencing problems to visit pastors, counselors and social workers and not to try to solve their problems on their own. We as the police officers we are condemning the continuous family tragedies, which are happening in Venda.

Five children are left without anyone to look after them, but the eldest son, Eric Ndou (25) told Mirror that he is going to be a mother and father of four children.