Husband shot and killed wife during church service: High Court delivers damning judgement
Police have welcomed the life sentence handed to a Limpopo man who shot and killed his wife during a church service
Image: SAPS
A 55-year-old Limpopo man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for shooting and killing his wife during a church service in Makonde Village last year.
The High Court in Limpopo, based in Thohoyandou, this week convicted and sentenced Avhapfani Eric Mundalamo, from Sidou Village, for the murder of his 43-year-old wife, Patience Funanani Mbedzi.
According to Limpopo provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the incident happened on 30 March 2024 when Eric followed his wife to a church service. Armed with a firearm, he entered the church and shot her dead in front of congregants.
Police at Thohoyandou opened a murder case and assigned the investigation to Constable Mmbengeni Clovis Mashamba of the Thohoyandou detective service. The accused handed himself over to the police the following day, on 1 April 2024, and was formally charged.
After nearly two years of investigations and multiple court appearances, the court sentenced Eric to life imprisonment. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Police in the province welcomed the sentence.
Detective Constable Mmbengeni Clovis Mashamba
Image: SAPS
In April last year, IOL reported that Mundalamo, who killed his wife, Mbedzi, during a church service at Makonde Shadani village, outside Thohoyandou, had appeared in court.
At the time, Mundalamo made his first appearance before the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court.
“It is reported that the suspect entered the church premises on 30 March 2024, at about 6 pm, while the congregation was engaged in worship and callously fired multiple shots at the victim, resulting in her untimely death,” said Ledwaba.
After the horrific shooting, the killer fled the scene in a silver-grey Toyota Corolla vehicle.
An extensive manhunt was launched, and Mundalamo later handed himself over to the police.
IOL News