Angry speakers condemned the use of firearms to solve family problems and encouraged couples to look for professional help whenever there are misunderstandings.

This was during the double funeral of a well-known Limpopo traditional healer, who shot and killed his wife with an unlicensed firearm and later committed suicide. Livhuwani Mphaga (38) and his wife, Mashudu (35), were buried during an emotional funeral at Khubvi village, near Thohoyandou, on Saturday. Mirror covered the story of the gruesome incident last week.

The couple had a history of family violence and the husband had just served an eight-month prison term after beating his wife. She also secured a court order against him, but it did not help. After a noisy argument on Friday last week, the traditional healer shot his wife in the head at their home and she died instantly. The healer fled from the scene and his body was discovered the following day with a bullet wound to the face.

The couple had three kids.

Representing the families at the funeral, Livhuwani Nemukula said it was sad to learn that the husband had resorted to murder as the only solution to his problem. “We have accepted what happened although we know we will never forget it. The pain we experience as a family is more than words can express. How many more must die because of these illegal firearms before we do something as a nation? We did not expect the couple to die such a horrible death but there is nothing we can do because it is irreversible. We also thank the community for their support since the tragedy struck us. Your presence and contributions made us strong although we know the tragedy will ring on our minds for the rest of our lives…”

Representing the community, the chairperson of the local Sanco, Mudinda Ramagwede, said: “We were expecting a lot from the couple because they were still young. We are tongue-tied and devastated because we were looking at their contributions in the development of our society. We are shocked and hurt because this is heart-breaking.”

The weeping Hilda, mother of Mashudu, said: “Had I known that the marriage would lead to her sudden death, I would have not allowed her to be engaged in such a dangerous relationship…”

Bishop Mmbangiseni Ratshitanga of the Revival Apostolic Christian Centre said people needed to change their mind sets and value life more importantly.

“When you see a human being, you must not act as if you are seeing an animal. We need to have a respect of human life because it is a precious gift from God. No one is allowed to take somebody’s life away. Firearms are not the solutions to family problems…”

Bishop Ratshitanga said the two families need to forget the tragedy and live in harmony even after the incident. “We understand it is not easy to accept this loss but the families need to come to their senses and forgive each other. Even the kids of the couple should forgive the parents for what has happened because no one can reverse the situation. If we don’t change our mind sets, the whole community will be wiped out through firearms and ritual murders.”