The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development has called for an urgent investigation following the killing of one of its employees in Pietermaritzburg over the weekend.
Siphokazi Sithole, who worked in the department’s Human Resources division, was shot dead, allegedly by her husband. It is understood that the man later turned the firearm on himself and died at the scene.
The department’s MEC, Mbali Shinga, has described the incident as both shocking and deeply disturbing.
“At this stage, the matter remains under investigation and details are still limited. The department will communicate verified information as it becomes available through the relevant authorities,” said Shinga.
She strongly condemned the incident, linking it to the broader crisis of gender-based violence in the country.
“Gender-based violence is a gross violation of human rights and has no place in society. Such acts undermine the safety, dignity and well-being of women and children and demand collective action from all sectors,” she said.
Shinga added that Sithole’s death was not only a devastating loss to her family, but also to the department and the public service at large.
“We cannot normalise violence within intimate relationships. We must continue to speak out, intervene early and support victims before lives are lost,” she said.
Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are continuing.