A 34-year-old ward councillor from Pienaar near Mbombela, Mpumalanga has been arrested on two counts of attempted murder after gunfire broke out during a confrontation linked to the funeral of a 16-year-old girl. Police say an argument erupted when relatives confronted the grieving father, and the councillor allegedly drew a firearm and fired a shot.

The bullet grazed both the father and a neighbour who tried to intervene. Both were taken to hospital, and police arrested the councillor shortly afterwards. He is expected to appear in court on charges of attempted murder as investigations continue.