Samora Machel police registered two counts of murder after a mother and son were shot and killed in their home in Samora Machel on Sunday 19 July. The motive for the incident is still unknown.

Provincial police spokesperson Const Ndakhe Gwala confirmed the incident, saying that officers responded to reports of a shooting at Vusini Mini Street, Samora Machel, on Sunday 19 July, around 06:00.

Mother and son gunned down in their home

She said on their arrival they found two bodies — that of a 52-year-old mother and her 32-year-old son.

“They were both declared deceased by medical personnel on the scene. Officers registered two counts of murder, and the motive is yet to be determined. The circumstances surrounding the shooting are under investigation and no arrest has been effected yet.”

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Community in fear after Samora Machel double murder

A community member who spoke on condition of anonymity said they were shocked by the incident. She described her deceased neighbour as having been a good person.

“I don’t know what happened. But the deceased woman was a nice person. We were not friends, but I used to see her when she passed by my house. I can’t say much about her son because children are children (sic).” She found the fact that they were killed in the morning shocking too.

“It is clear it was not a robbery. They were targeted. The shooting was planned. I don’t want to lie; we are scared.”