Cape Town – A tragic shooting in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga, left a 69-year-old woman and a male police constable dead, while a female constable remains hospitalised.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning in Suncity A.
According to provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, the two constables were in a romantic relationship. Upon arrival at the scene, officers found the elderly woman and the male constable with fatal gunshot wounds.
The female constable was found injured and was taken to the hospital for medical treatment. Two firearms, believed to be state-issued, and cartridges were recovered from the scene. The motive for the shooting remains unclear, but police have not ruled out the possibility of domestic violence being a factor.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has been called in to probe the circumstances surrounding the shooting, while police investigations continue. Acting provincial commissioner of police in Mpumalanga,
Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, expressed deep concern over the incident, describing it as “disheartening.” He urged police officers to utilize available support services when facing personal challenges.
This incident adds to a troubling pattern of domestic violence involving law enforcement officers in the region. In a similar case earlier this year, a police officer was accused of murdering his wife and her parents before fleeing with their children.
The Mpumalanga police have vowed to continue their investigation and have called for any individuals with information to come forward. The community remains in shock as authorities work to uncover the full details of this tragic event.
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Picture: Facebook/ SA Police
Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele