A police reservist killed his wife and 7-year-old daughter as they were trying to run away. He then turned the gun on himself

The tragic events unfolded in Ermelo, Mpumalanga police said on Friday.

The shooting happened on Thursday after Ekhaniya Mdluli allegedly had an argument with his estranged wife about custody of their child, Captain Leonard Hlathi said.

Social workers conducted an assessment to ascertain whether the child should stay with her father.

“During the negotiations, Mdluli allegedly pulled out a gun he took from one of the police officials who came to monitor the processes, as requested by the social worker,” he said.

“When he pulled out the gun, his wife saw him, took her child and ran away. Mdluli charged at her. After a distance of about 20 meters, she stopped, following gunshots.”   

It was suspected that he might have fired the shots to force her to stop.

He then approached her, shot her in the chest and the child in the head.

Both died on the scene.

Mdluli then ran away and shot himself  in the head.