A Ward 29 Councillor from Pienaar has been taken into custody on two counts of attempted murder, a violent incident that erupted amidst a family grieving the suicide of a teenage girl.
The chain of events began on Thursday, 20 November 2025, when a local father noticed his 16-year-old daughter was visibly distressed and crying. Upon confronting her, the daughter alleged that a boy from her school had been abusing her.
The father subsequently drove with his daughter to the boy’s residence in their neighbourhood to identify the alleged perpetrator. Finding the boy was not home, the father returned to his residence and later dropped his daughter off.
Tragedy struck later that day when the father discovered his daughter had taken her own life. He cut the rope she had used to hang herself and rushed her to the nearest clinic, where she was certified dead.
The situation escalated that evening at approximately 19:30. While the father was at home mourning, he heard noises in his sitting room and found members of his late wife’s family had arrived. They confronted him, demanding to know why they had not been informed of their granddaughter’s passing, asserting their right to be notified.
A physical altercation broke out between the father and his in-laws. During the confrontation, a Councillor, who was present as a known family friend of the late wife’s family, allegedly became involved. The Councillor is accused of drawing a firearm and discharging a shot. The bullet grazed both the father and a neighbour who was attempting to intervene and stop the fight.
On Friday, 21 November 2025, two cases of attempted murder were opened at the Pienaar SAPS. A police investigation led to the arrest of the 34-year-old Councillor.
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Kanyamazane Periodical Court on Monday, 24 November 2025, to face the two charges of attempted murder.