South African Man Sentenced To Life For Fatally Shooting Wife During Church Service
After close to two years of investigations and several court appearances, the High Court sentenced him to life imprisonment. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
A 55-year-old Limpopo man has been handed a life sentence for murdering his wife during a church service in Makonde Village last year.
The High Court in Limpopo, sitting in Thohoyandou, convicted and sentenced Avhapfani Eric Mundalamo of Sidou Village for the fatal shooting of his 43-year-old wife, Patience Funanani Mbedzi.
According to provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the tragedy unfolded on 30 March 2024 after Mundalamo followed his wife to a church service.
He entered the building armed with a firearm and shot her dead in full view of congregants.
Limpopo Man: Police Investigation and Swift Case Finalisation
Thohoyandou police opened a murder case and assigned Constable Mmbengeni Clovis Mashamba from the detective service to lead the investigation. Mundalamo handed himself over to authorities the following day, 1 April 2024, and was formally charged.
After close to two years of investigations and several court appearances, the High Court sentenced him to life imprisonment. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Authorities Welcome the Harsh Sentence
Police in the province welcomed the judgement. In April last year, Mundalamo made his first appearance before the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court following the murder at Makonde Shadani village, outside Thohoyandou.
“It is reported that the suspect entered the church premises on 30 March 2024, at about 6 pm, while the congregation was engaged in worship and callously fired multiple shots at the victim, resulting in her untimely death,” said Ledwaba.
After the shooting, Mundalamo fled the scene in a silver-grey Toyota Corolla, prompting an extensive manhunt before he eventually surrendered to police.
