News24 | Delmas man accused of killing neighbour in clash over access to water

A 71-year-old man was arrested for murder after allegedly shooting his 33-year-old neighbour during a dispute over access to water in Sundra, Delmas, Mpumalanga.

A 71-year-old man has been arrested for murder following a fatal altercation over water in Sundra, Delmas in Mpumalanga, on Sunday.

According to police spokesperson Colonel Jabu Ndubane, a fight broke out between the elderly man and his 33-year-old neighbour, who resided on the same property.

Due to ongoing water shortages in the area, the landlord had installed a JoJo tank in the garage as a water source when the municipal supply was unavailable.

The tank, according to Ndubane, was located on the suspect’s side of the premises.

It is alleged that the 33-year-old attempted to enter the garage to switch on the pressure pump to access water, but the suspect refused him entry.

“The deceased then allegedly forced his way to the tap, at which point the suspect shot him at close range, striking him in the left eye,” said Ndubane.

The dead man’s wife reportedly tried to enter the area where her husband had been shot but was threatened by the suspect, who allegedly warned that he would shoot her too.

She fled to her side of the house.

More than 100 residents gathered at the scene, threatening to kill the suspect and burn down the house in anger.

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The police arrived and arrested the man.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Delmas Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

Acting Mpumalanga police commissioner Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi condemned the incident and urged the community to remain calm and allow the police to conduct their investigation.