Doreen Mokgolo
The Maleka family are grateful to be alive after their daughter’s ex-lover opened fire in their home in Duduza on Sunday night.
Tlatsi Chapule, who was recently released from prison on parole after eight years, shot his ex-girlfriend Angela Maleka three times and her mother Kettie Maleka twice before turning the gun on himself.
The couple started dating in February after Angela separated from her long-term boyfriend but last Tuesday Angela decided to end the relationship after she found nude photographs of girls on Chapule’s phone.
But when he found out that Angela was back with her fiancé he got angry and started threatening her life and leaked nude pictures of her on social media.
On Sunday afternoon, Chapule allegedly forced his way into Angela’s home demanding to speak to her. When she refused, he pulled out a gun.
Angela’s younger sister managed to slip out of the room to call for help which only infuriated him further. As she was leaving the room, he aimed the gun at her and shot – only missing by inches.
He then turned the gun on Angela and shot her twice in the chest.
Angela’s mother Kettie tried to grab him from behind but he shot her in the torso.
Kettie, who is recovering at home after being discharged from hospital, told Scrolla.Africa that Chapule shot Angela in the back of her neck.
“When my husband managed to grab him from behind he put the barrel of the gun into his mouth and pulled the trigger,” she added.
Kettie said that he was scared that Chapule was going to wipe out her family.
“He didn’t want to hear reason. I pleaded with him to spare our lives but that only made him more angry.”
The parolee was declared dead at the scene while Angela is still fighting for her life in the ICU.
Duduza police spokesperson, Sergeant Harry Manaka confirmed that they are investigating two counts of attempted murder, possession of a firearm and ammunition and a possible suicide.
