Mphikeleli Shikwambana, 35, of Polokwane, South Africa, is accused of murdering his wife, Dr. Tshimangadzo Muofhe, 32, and then turning the gun on himself.
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Shikwambana worked at the Donald Frazer Hospital in Thohoyandou, and his wife worked at the Provincial Hospital in Polokwane.
Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said in a statement that the bodies of the deceased were discovered by a family member on Monday, March 27, 2023, at the Thornhill Estate in Polokwane.
According to Mojapelo, preliminary investigations revealed that the couple fought earlier in the day and in the afternoon.
“Polokwane police have opened murder and inquest cases following an incident in which a 35-year-old doctor attached to the Donald Frazer hospital in Thohoyandou shot and killed his 32-year-old wife, who was also a doctor attached to the Provincial Hospital in Polokwane.” “The incident occurred yesterday, Monday, March 27, 2023, at Thornhill Estate in Polokwane,” he said.
“The bodies of the deceased were reportedly discovered by a family member returning from Vhembe in the afternoon, prompting the police to be called.
“According to preliminary police investigations, the couple had a fight earlier in the day and afternoon, and the woman was then allegedly shot dead by her husband, who then turned the gun on himself,”
‘At this point, the motive for the incident is unknown, but domestic violence cannot be ruled out.
“The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe urged people facing domestic challenges to seek help and resolve their problems rather than taking lives,” he added.
The Limpopo Health Department issued a statement on Tuesday, lamenting the tragic deaths of its medical doctors.
MEC for Health Dr. Phophi Ramathuba and acting HOD, Dr. Dombo, who were on the scene with the deceased’s families, described their deaths as a huge loss to the department.
“Today is a difficult day for me and the entire department.” We are heartbroken. Losing such hardworking, dedicated, and promising young people is a setback for the department, according to MEC Ramathuba.
‘Dr. Mphikeleli Shikwambana, prior to his permanent appointment, served for two years as an Acting Clinical Manager for Donald Fraser Hospital, where he managed to turn the hospital around from being the leading cause of maternal death in the Vhembe district to recording zero during that tenure, and he continued sustaining his excellent performance in clinical governance, leading to us giving him the responsibility to act as the overall head of the institution at the beginning of this month.
“His wife, Dr. Tshimangadzo Muofhe, on the other hand, will be missed by her colleagues and patients in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department of Pietersburg hospital for her dedication and commitment to protecting pregnant women and their unborn children.
“On behalf of the Department of Health, we send our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, colleagues, and patients of the deceased, and may their departed souls rest in peace.”
