A 34-year-old ward councillor from Pienaar near Mbombela has been arrested on two counts of attempted murder following a violent altercation that arose after the death of a minor on Thursday.

According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, a father from Pienaar confronted his 16-year-old daughter after noticing she appeared distressed, Mpumalanga News reports.

“She allegedly told him that a boy from her school had been abusing her. The man drove with his daughter to the boy’s home, but he was not there,” she said.

The man dropped his daughter safely off at home, where he later discovered that she had attempted to take her own life. “He rushed her to the nearest clinic, where she was pronounced dead,” said Ndubane.

At about 19:30, while the man was at home, he heard something in the sitting room. Upon investigation, he found his late wife’s family there.

“They confronted him about why he had not informed them of his daughter’s passing, saying that they also had a right to be notified. An altercation ensued, during which a ward councillor, who is a friend of the late wife’s family allegedly became involved. The councillor reportedly drew a firearm and fired a shot, grazing the father as well as a neighbour who was attempting to intervene and stop the fight,” Ndubane said.

The two victims were taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

On Friday, two cases of attempted murder were opened at the Pienaar SAPS. A police investigation led to the councillor’s arrest.

He is expected to appear in the KaNyamazane Periodical Court on Monday, facing two counts of attempted murder.

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