A 75-year-old madala has burnt his wife to ashes before taking his own life in Bolobedu outside Tzaneen, Limpopo.
Limpopo cops spokesman Colonel Moetshe Ngoepe said the incident happened last night in Madibeng village.
"It is alleged that an elderly couple had a domestic conflict until the husband started to assault the wife.
"During the conflict, he locked her inside the hut and set it alight before fleeing the scene," said Ngoepe.
Ngoepe said members of the family attempted to extinguish the fire.
"Unfortunately, the wife was burnt to ashes and she died instantly from burn wounds."
Ngoepe said the madala found hanging under the tree in the nearby bushes.
Both the deceased were identified as Elizabeth and Albert Lenexa.
Ngoepe said the cause of domestic conflict is still unknown at this stage and investigations are still continuing.
Victor Hlungwani
