Sandile Nkosi and Silingene Motha.
The family of Silingene Motha is mourning her death after she was allegedly shot and killed by her partner, police constable Sandile Nkosi, who later took his own life.
The couple had attended the Hello Summer event in Mbombela on Saturday, October 3, before returning home in the early hours of Sunday, October 4.
According to information shared by Motha’s family, the couple went to Nkosi’s home after returning from the event, where they were later found dead.
Motha was found seated in the front passenger seat of a vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds to her upper body. Nkosi was found lying next to the vehicle with a gunshot wound to the head.
Police have confirmed that they suspect Nkosi shot Motha before turning the firearm on himself. However, the circumstances leading to the shooting remain under investigation.
The couple had two children, a five-year-old son and a two-year-old daughter, who are now left without both parents.
For Motha’s family, the circumstances surrounding her death have been particularly difficult to comprehend. They described Nkosi as a loving and caring person who had always taken care of his children.
Motha’s father said the family never imagined that the man they knew as a caring father could allegedly kill their daughter before taking his own life.
“He was a loving person and a caring father who took care of his children. We never thought he would kill our daughter and later turn the gun on himself,” he said.
Meanwhile, Motha’s mother, Dudu Mhlanga, has appealed to members of the community to stop spreading false information about the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s death.
Mhlanga said the two families have a good relationship and have made peace with what happened.
She urged people to respect both families during their time of grief and to avoid circulating unverified information about the incident.
The families are now left to mourn the loss of Motha and Nkosi while their two young children face the devastating loss of both parents.
Police investigations are continuing to establish exactly what led to the shooting and the events surrounding the deaths.
