Mayor’s bodyguard in suicide attempt

Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital at Cato Manor

Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital at Cato Manor

Published Jul 8, 2014

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Durban - A Ladysmith mayoral bodyguard who allegedly killed his wife, is in a coma in a Durban hospital after he tried to commit suicide.

The bodyguard, whose name is known to the Daily News, was transferred to the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital after the alleged murder and suicide attempt on Sunday.

It is alleged he shot his wife, 36, at their home in Inkanyamba Street, in D section, Ezakheni, in Ladysmith.

He is then believed to have turned the gun on himself.

An Emnambithi-Ladysmith municipal spokesman, Sipho Maphalala, said the wife died on the scene.

He was rushed to a local hospital and from there transferred to the Durban hospital, where he is in a coma, said Maphalala.

SAPS Captain Thulani Zwane confirmed the man was under police guard. “Two firearms and spent cartridges were recovered at the scene. Ezakheni detectives are investigating a case of murder,” Zwane said.

Maphalala said the municipality extended its condolences to the families of the couple.

Maphalala said one of the guns found on the scene was the bodyguard’s private fire-arm, and the other his service pistol. He said it had not been established which of the guns was used in the incident.

It has also emerged that the deceased’s family was having problems making funeral arrangements because her husband is the signatory to her insurance policy.

The bodyguard has been Ladysmith mayor Vincent Madlala’s bodyguard for eight years.

He became a bodyguard when Madlala was still deputy mayor.

The bodyguard’s family declined to comment and referred all media inquiries to the municipality’s communications department.

Daily News

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