A 49-year-old man is expected to appear in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on a charge of murder following the fatal shooting of his nephew.
Police spokesperson Palesa Thabana said officers were alerted on Sunday after a hospital reported that a 22-year-old man had died from gunshot wounds.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim was accidentally shot at home by his uncle,” Thabana said. “The suspect alleges that he believed there was an intruder in the kitchen and fired a shot, which struck his nephew.”
Police confiscated the firearm, its licence and seven live rounds for further investigation. Thabana said the full circumstances surrounding the incident are still being examined.
The suspect was subsequently arrested and is expected to make his first court appearance on Tuesday.