South African man sentenced to life imprisonment for shooting and k!lling his wife during church service
Published on December 15, 2025 at 3:00 PM by Edgar Naitha
SOUTH AFRICA – A 55-year-old South African man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for shooting and killing his estranged wife during a church service in Limpopo province.
The High Court in Thohoyandou convicted Avhapfani Eric Mundalamo of the murder of his 43-year-old wife, Patience Funanani Mbedzi, who was shot dead on 30 March 2024.
According to Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the incident occurred in Makonde village after Mundalamo followed his wife to church.
He entered the church armed with a firearm and shot her in front of congregants as she was leading a choir performance.
After the shooting, Mundalamo fled the scene in a silver-grey Toyota Corolla.
Police later launched a manhunt, and he handed himself over the following day before being formally charged.
After nearly two years of investigations and multiple court appearances, the court sentenced him to life imprisonment and declared him unfit to possess a firearm.
Mbedzi was a well-known choir leader and salon owner who was actively involved in her local church community.
