A South African soldier based in the Democratic Republic of the Congo attempted to commit suicide after shooting his colleague girlfriend dead on Friday evening‚ October 27, said the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
The girlfriend identified as Private Nomathemba Ngeleka, also a member of the SANDF based in the eastern DRC‚ died on arrival at a hospital in Goma.The incident occurred at about 8.45pm.
“The man is in a critical condition in hospital in Goma. The motive behind the shooting is not yet known‚” said SANDF spokesman Brigadier-General Mafi Mgobozi.
Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Mapisa- Nqakula‚ the Secretary for Defence‚ Dr Sam Gulube‚ and the Chief of the South African National Defence Force‚ General Solly Shoke‚ expressed their heartfelt condolences to the family‚ friends and loved ones of the deceased member.
“She was working at 5 South African infantry Battalion in Ladysmith‚ KwaZulu-Natal‚ and joined the SA Army in 2011. The member has one child and leaves behind her parents‚ three sisters and three brothers‚” the SANDF said in a statement on Sunday.
“Details of her memorial and funeral service would be communicated as soon as the family had finalised the arrangements‚” the SANDF said.
The soldier, who attempted to commit suicide after he shot her is in a critical condition in a hospital in Goma in the eastern DRC.
“The motive behind the shooting is not yet known‚” said Brigadier-General Mafi Mgobozi. (LIB)