Domestic Violence Tragedy: Man Arrested for Shooting Pregnant Partner To Death



A 33-year-old man (pictured above) has been apprehended by police following the tragic shooting and killing of his pregnant girlfriend in the Mbombela CBD of Mpumalanga, South Africa.


The suspect's arrest took place on the evening of Thursday, September 7, 2023, in Lows Creek. This significant development follows a thorough investigation conducted by the Nelspruit SAPS detectives and the Mpumalanga Provincial Task Team.

The heartbreaking incident unfolded on Wednesday morning when the suspect allegedly shot and fatally wounded the 36-year-old woman, identified as Nontobeko, on Samora Machel Drive, near Buscor’s bus terminals.

Nontobeko, The victim

According to eyewitnesses, the victim had just disembarked from a taxi when the suspect, brandishing a firearm, shot her in the right leg. Subsequently, she fell to the ground, and the assailant allegedly fired two fatal shots to her head before fleeing in the direction of Valencia.


Quick-thinking witnesses promptly contacted the police and paramedics for assistance. Emer-G-Med responded to the scene and tragically declared the woman deceased on-site.

Colonel Donald Mdhluli, a provincial police spokesperson, officially confirmed the arrest in a statement on Friday. He disclosed that during the arrest, the police also seized a pistol and ammunition from the suspect, which will be integral to the ongoing investigation.

Mdhluli recounted the grim events of the morning, noting that the incident, which occurred at approximately 05:20 am on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, in Mbombela CBD, is believed to be related to domestic violence. 

Following the shooting, the suspect fled the scene and evaded capture while law enforcement and paramedics attended to the victim.


A murder case was promptly initiated at Nelspruit SAPS for investigation, with the aim of swiftly locating and arresting the suspect. A dedicated team of investigators, led by Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, was formed to ensure justice.

The intensive effort bore fruit when the suspect's bakkie was recovered at Mara near KaNyamazane outside Nelspruit around midday on the day of the crime. Although the suspect remained elusive at that time, he was eventually arrested in the evening of Thursday at his hideout in Low's Creek.

The suspect is scheduled to appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Monday, September 11.

In another news, a man who killed his mother has agreed to enter a plea deal. See detailed story here.

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