A senior superintendent of the Makhado Municipality’s traffic department allegedly shot and killed his wife and then himself at the public works housing area along the Sinthumule Road on Tuesday. 

Joshua Nethavhani (35), who was the acting head of the Makhado Traffic Department, shot and killed himself after shooting his wife, Yvonne Muthula (24), at Magnolia Street 3.

Nethavhani had been residing in Louis Trichardt where he was working at the Makhado Municipality, but he came originally from Tshikuwi village in the Nzhelele area.

According to a report by the police, the bodies of the deceased were discovered by neighbours at about midnight. It is alleged that the couple’s two children Brighton (7) and Precious (5) arrived at home from school in the afternoon and found the door locked. They sat outside until the neighbours realised that something was wrong and investigated. The incident took place sometime on Tuesday after the children had left for school.

The spokesman for the Makhado police, Capt Maano Sadike, confirmed the death of Nethathavhani and his wife. “We were alerted about the incident by the neighbors at about midnight. We arrived at the scene and found the two lifeless bodies lying on the ground in a pool of blood,” he said.

Sadike further indicated that Ms Muthula had been shot several times, while Nethavhani had a gunshot wound to the head. “Nethavhani’s service pistol was lying between his legs, but we cannot confirm yet that he was the one who had pulled the trigger. Police are still continuing with investigations,” outlined Sadike.

Nethavhani started his career as a traffic officer after obtaining his Metropolitan Traffic Service Academy Diploma at the Greater Johannesburg Municipality in 1999. He then joined Makhado Municipality as a learner traffic warden in March 2000. In December 2001, he was appointed as traffic officer Grade 1.

Nethavhani was appointed as the acting superintendent of the Dzanani Testing Station of the Makhado Municipality in 2006 until end of October this year, when he was transferred back at the Makhado headquarters, where he was appointed as the acting superintendent of the whole traffic department.     

When contacted for comment on Wednesday, the municipal manager of Makhado Municipality, Ms Faith Muthambi, sadly indicated that the municipality had suffered a great loss. “Nethavhani had undivided commitment and he always served the community with pride. He loved his job. All members of the Makhado Municipality are affected and the part which he played within the municipality was essential. We will all miss him,” she said.

She added that they had really lost a star who was also a team leader. Muthambi sent her condolences to the bereaved families.

Nethavhani was awarded the driver of the year award at an occasion that was held at the premises of Gateway Inn last Friday. He received a trophy and a cash prize of R1 000.