Pienaar councillor arrested on attempted murder charges after girl’s death

A 34-year-old Ward 29 councillor from Pienaar has been arrested on two counts of attempted murder following a violent dispute connected to the death of a 16-year-old girl.

According to police, the incident began on 20 November when the girl’s father noticed she was distressed and frequently crying. The teenager allegedly told her father that she had been abused by a boy from her school.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Thulisile Magagula said the father reportedly drove with his daughter to the boy’s home to identify the alleged perpetrator, but he was not there.

He returned his daughter home, only to later discover that she had taken her own life.

“He cut the rope she had used and rushed her to the nearest clinic, where she was certified dead. At about 19:30, while mourning at home, the father heard noises coming from the sitting room. Police say members of his late wife’s family were present and confronted him about not being informed of the girl’s death, claiming they had a right to be notified,”Magagula said.

Magagula said a dispute then broke out between the father and his late wife’s family.

During the altercation, a councillor known to the family allegedly became involved. The councillor reportedly drew a firearm and fired a shot, grazing the father and a neighbour who tried to intervene. Both victims were treated at hospital.

Two cases of attempted murder were opened at Pienaar SAPS on Friday and a police investigation led to the councillor’s arrest.

The councillor is expected to appear in the Kanyamazane Periodical Court on Monday, facing two counts of attempted murder.

Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Gen Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, welcomed the arrest.

“The councillor should have assisted in resolving the dispute between the families but instead resorted to violence,”Mkhwanazi said.