NELSPRUIT – The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Gen Thulani Ntobela has condemned the ruthless and unnecessary loss of lives amongst community members and their loved ones.
This comes in light of the recent heartless incident that occurred in Rietspruit near Kriel this past Saturday, where three lives were lost and three people left with injuries.
The police has uncovered that this gruesome act took place after a 29-year-old woman, Bongi Masango called her friend Zanele Dube (29), to pick her up from a hiking spot.
Her friend arrived accompanied by a 49-year-old man, Pat Ngwenya who offered her a lift home. It is alleged that immediately when they arrived in Rietspruit, they noticed a vehicle belonging to Bongi’s husband, Vusi Pako (31) parked alongside the road and stopped to allow Bongi to join him.
It is alleged that Pako approached the vehicle in which Bongi was and fired several shots, severely injuring Ngwenya however he (Ngwenya) managed to speed off. Ngwenya was taken to a local clinic but unfortunately died as a result of his injuries.
Pako then went to Bongi’s parents’ home where he fatally shot her father, mother, sister and a neighbour. The incident was reported to the police and they launched a manhunt for Pako. Police found his vehicle around Kriel left abandoned but he was found the following day,suspected to have fatally shot himself.
Police are investigating a double murder, three attempted murder cases and an inquest docket.
Management has urged the community members together with their families to utilize available government structures, Non Governmental Organisation (NGO’s) and other professional assistance when they are confronted with unbearable load.
