Report domestic abuse before it becomes fatal

A tragic murder-suicide incident took place on Sunday at the Shoprite store located in the Namakgale Shopping Complex, near Phalaborwa in Limpopo. The event involved a 45-year-old man who pursued his wife into the retailer. After she tried to seek safety in the manager’s office, he shot and killed her, injured the female store manager, and then used the firearm to end his own life. The police have started an investigation, believing the motive for this horrific crime is related to domestic issues.

Key details of the tragedy

• Date of incident: The tragedy occurred on Sunday, September 29, 2025.
• Location: Inside the Shoprite grocery retailer, situated at the Namakgale Shopping Complex, outside of Phalaborwa, in the Limpopo province.
• Perpetrator/Suspect: A 45-year-old man (deceased).
• Primary Victim: The suspect’s wife (deceased).
• Secondary Victim: The female manager of the Shoprite store (injured).
• Weapon used: A firearm, and a stabbing weapon (knife/sharp object).
• Sequence of events: The suspect followed his wife into the store, fired two shots into the manager’s office where she was hiding, injuring the manager. He then dragged his wife out, stabbed her repeatedly, fatally shot her, and subsequently committed suicide by shooting himself.
• Motive: Preliminary police reports suggest the incident is entirely domestic-related.
• Current status: The injured manager was rushed to the hospital for treatment, and the South African Police Service is continuing its investigation into the circumstances.

Simple summary of the story

The violent incident unfolded suddenly when a 45-year-old man entered the Shoprite store in Namakgale, actively seeking out his wife. According to reports, the woman was trying desperately to hide from him and managed to seek refuge inside the store manager’s office. However, the man was armed with a gun and continued his pursuit.

When he reached the office, he fired two shots through the door or into the space, unfortunately hitting and injuring the female manager who was inside. After this, the man reportedly dragged his wife out of the office. In a terrifying display of rage, he stabbed her several times before delivering the fatal gunshot that killed her. Immediately following the murder, the man turned the weapon on himself, committing suicide.

The police arrived shortly afterwards. The injured store manager was quickly transported to hospital for urgent medical care. Authorities have stated that based on their initial findings, the incident is being treated as an act of domestic violence. Investigations are ongoing to gather all facts regarding this terrible incident. You can read more about this tragedy here: Man kills wife, injures store manager at Shoprite Namakgale.

Community questions and answers

• Q: Is the injured store manager expected to recover?
  A: The report confirms the female manager was rushed to hospital for treatment immediately after the incident. Details about her current condition or prognosis have not been publicly released by the police or hospital.
• Q: Was the man carrying the firearm legally?
  A: The initial report does not state whether the firearm used by the 45-year-old man was licensed or unlicensed. This will likely form part of the ongoing police investigation.
• Q: Why did the man stab his wife if he already had a gun?
  A: While the police have not commented on the specifics of the perpetrator’s state of mind, the dual use of stabbing and shooting suggests an intent to inflict extreme violence and rage, which is common in highly emotional domestic violence scenarios.
• Q: How could such a violent event happen inside a busy public supermarket like Shoprite?
  A: The event highlights serious security challenges in public retail spaces, particularly when dealing with domestic disputes that escalate violently. The store was operating normally when the suspect entered armed, making it impossible to prevent the initial entry.
• Q: Has the Shoprite store at Namakgale Shopping Complex been closed following the event?
  A: The article confirms the incident happened inside the store, which would necessitate a temporary closure for forensic investigation and clean-up, though the official reopening status is not confirmed in the report.
• Q: What should people do if they know someone is experiencing domestic abuse like this?
  A: If you suspect or know someone is a victim of domestic violence, they should be encouraged to report the matter to the police immediately or seek help from local community support organizations before the situation escalates further.
• Q: Where can I find more news stories from the Phalaborwa and Limpopo area?
  A: You can find more local news and updates on similar incidents by visiting sites dedicated to regional reporting, such as Thohoyandou News.