A 48-year-old suspect will appear before the Komatipoort Magistrate’s Court today after being charged with murder of his partner(46) after fatally shooting her during an alleged argument.

It is alleged that the suspect made an unannounced visit at the woman’s place on Friday morning. Where in the woman’s child is said to have left her mother and the suspect arguing when she left for school. The mother is said to have been preparing for work she was working for as a SARS official . Upon her return from school, she discovered that the door to the flat where they reside was surprisingly locked.

The neighbors tried to assist in gaining entry inside after suspecting that something sinister could have happened to the woman. It was during this time when they discovered that the woman was not moving and she sustained some gunshot wounds and was inside a pool of blood.

The Police as well as the paramedics were called to the scene and upon arrival, the woman was unfortunately certified dead. A murder case was opened and Police immediately began with their investigation. At the time of his arrest, police managed to recover a firearm with its serial numbers filed off.

The firearm will undergo ballistic testing to determine whether it was not previously used in the commission of crime elsewhere. Hence at this stage police cannot rule out possibilities of adding more charges against the suspect as the investigation continues.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela further urged members of the public not to resort to violence when they come across some challenges in their relationships however they should make use of available resources in place which include social workers and faith-based organizations. “It is regrettable that a child has been left without a mother and such incident could have been prevented. This incident once again shows that the proliferation of firearms remains a challenge especially on violent crimes. We hope that justice will be served for the victim as well as her family,” said the General.