Masisi sergeant goes berserk and shoots wife and worker

The family of a domestic worker from Masisi, who was brutally shot by her police-officer employer, say they are struggling to come to terms with her death.

The worker, along with her employer’s wife, was shot dead on Tuesday, 29 October. The incident happened at about 19:45 at the policeman’s house in Masisi. The worker was identified as Ms Ndifelani Mudzweda (50). The other victim was the wife, Ms Humbulani Nenzhelele, who worked for the Emergency Services at Masisi Clinic.

Information obtained from local sources indicates that the sergeant called his colleagues at the Masisi police station after the shooting, asking them to go to his house to fetch a child as he had killed his wife.

Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba said police had proceeded to the house. "On arrival at the scene, they found two women lying dead in a pool of blood, with four cartridges on the floor. The domestic worker, who is from Masisi RDP Phase Two, was shot on the right cheek and right arm. The other deceased, who is the suspect's wife, had several gunshot wounds to her head. The suspect had by then fled the scene," he said.

Soon after the incident, the Vhembe SAPS Task Team launched a manhunt for the fugitive police officer. The 44-year-old sergeant, identified as Nnditsheni Vele, was arrested on Thursday night, 31 October, following a shootout with police in the Makuya area. When officers attempted to stop his vehicle, he allegedly began firing multiple shots at them, prompting them to respond swiftly.

"The suspect was wounded in the exchange, and one police officer sustained minor injuries. The police recovered a service pistol and ammunition. Both the suspect and the injured officer were taken to a local hospital for medical treatment. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has been notified for further handling of the case," Ledwaba said.

Information about the incident remains sketchy, but allegations suggest the officer, who originates from Ngwenani outside Thohoyandou, has a wife and children there. He was posted to the Masisi Police Station, where he became romantically involved with Ms Nenzhelele. Allegations also indicate he began an affair with another woman, and that the domestic worker confided in the wife about the affair, which had allegedly triggered the events.

However, the domestic worker's daughter, Ms Sedzani Mudzweda, said her mother had never complained. “This has shocked us as a family. My mother never had complaints about her employers. We are all still in denial that she is gone. If we could get the chance to ask him why he killed my mother, maybe we could find closure. My mother gave everything to us. From the little she earned as a domestic worker, she managed to take care of all five of us. During avocado season, she would go to the farms, returning to sell the fruit. She also volunteered her services at the local Emergency Services. My wish is that the suspect survives to tell us why he killed her,” she said.

Meanwhile, the suspect was scheduled to appear in the Masisi Periodical Court on Monday, 4 November, but he was unable to attend. He is facing two counts of murder and attempted murder. In his absence, the case was postponed to 10 December for further investigations. He remains in custody.

Date:08 November 2024

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019. He currently writes on a freelance basis, covering human rights issues, court news and entertainment.

Read: 221