An East London police officer shot his wife before turning the gun on himself while their two children, aged five and three, slept in the next room in their NU13 Mdantsane home at the weekend.
Constable Vuyolwethu Xalisa shot his wife, Lelethu Kwakhanya Xalisa, in the face and back on Friday night.
Xalisa died on the scene, but Lelethu managed to call her mother, sister-in-law and a colleague for help.
Now fighting for her life in ICU, Lelethu is said to have told them: “Sisi ndiyaphela. uKoko uzidubule, wadubula nam” [translated: “I am dying. Koko shot himself and me.”]
She was rushed to Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in Mdantsane, from where she was transferred to Life St Dominic’s Hospital in East London.
Xalisa’s sister, Avuyile, said the couple had marital problems arising from Lelethu’s frequent travelling for work as an area manager of a financial services company.
“My brother was sweet, he joked around, loved people and he was full of respect, but did not take nonsense.
“He was the main breadwinner. He valued his family, he stepped up as the man of the family after my father’s passing.
“We called him the ‘leader’ because he was exactly that. My mother is not well. She will never be well because they did everything together as the man of the house after my father’s passing.“We have no doubt my brother loved Kwakhanya dearly, but her travelling did not sit well with him,” she said on Saturday.A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said she was watching TV at “exactly 10.30pm” when she heard two gunshots.“But when I looked through the window, I couldn’t see anything and assumed it was fireworks,” the neighbour said, adding that she went to sleep before being woken by a noise around 2am.
“When I peeped through the window, I saw a fleet of cars parked outside, but I thought they were hosting a party.”The neighbour said she saw Xalisa twice on Friday: once when the couple drove home and again at around 6pm while he parked outside his yard.“He was not his usual self because he was a friendly person who always asked how I was doing and on Friday he just greeted without even a smile.“I don’t believe it was an impulsive decision. He looked miserable.”Lelethu’s mother, Lumka Tshangela, said they were not ready to speak to reporters.“We are bereaved and our daughter is in hospital. We ask for privacy during this time. Lelethu is in a stable condition. Through God’s grace we are hoping for a speedy and full recovery soon.”When the Dispatch called the hospital on Sunday, a nurse confirmed that Lelethu would soon be moved from ICU to a general ward.The two children are with relatives in Gonubie.Police spokesperson Captain Nkosikho Mzuku referred questions to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid).Ipid spokesperson Moses Dlamini confirmed they were investigating the matter...