McKeed Kotlolo

McKeed Kotlolo

A traditional wedding celebration in Mpumalanga ended tragically when the brother of the bride shot and wounded three people, including the groom, before killing himself.

The incident happened on Saturday at the Joe Slovo informal settlement in Balfour, according to police.

The dead gunman was identified as Jan Jim Mbholangwe, while his victims were his two aunts and the unidentified groom.

Superintendent Abie Khoabane said the family of the groom had come to pay lobolo at the Mbholangwe family when the shooting happened.

Khoabane said people were in a celebratory mood when a gunshot went off.

"They were surprised to see people running away and the brother of the bride shooting at them. Two of his aunts and the groom were wounded," he said.

Khoabane said police had to demolish one side of the room in order to reach those who had locked themselves in.

The injured were taken to the local hospital while police negotiated with the gunman who had locked himself inside his shack.

Khoabane said during the negotiations a gunshot went off inside the shack and police discovered the man's body after he had apparently committing suicide.

"He had shot himself in the head. The firearm was licensed."

Sources in the family said the man was angry that his attempt to marry his sweetheart failed last year after his in-laws demanded R25000 lobolo.

Eight spent cartridges were found at the scene.