/ 14 January 2007

Man apprehended over Absa shooting spree

A 44-year-old man was arrested on Saturday in connection with the fatal shooting of his wife and the wounding of two of her colleagues at an Absa bank on Friday, said Gauteng police.

Director Govindsamy Mariemuthoo said the man was arrested at a flat in Turffontein, south of Johannesburg, at 4.30pm.

He could not say whether the man had been living there. The suspect is expected to appear in court soon.

Mariemuthoo said on Friday that a man had gone to the Absa branch at The Glen shopping centre at 3pm.

He allegedly asked to speak to a woman, went into her office and fired several shots. When the woman ran out into an area behind the tellers, he followed her and fired more shots, killing her.

Two other women, both bank employees, were shot and wounded.

Trauma counselling was organised for staff at the bank.

Mariemuthoo said police suspect domestic violence as the cause of the incident. — Sapa