Ex-boyfriend allegedly kills woman, then crosses paths with police and dies in shootout

crime

Tweeling – A 36-year-old woman was allegedly shot dead by her former boyfriend in Tweeling, Free State, before the suspect was fatally wounded in a shootout with police, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said.

The incident happened on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, after the woman reportedly left work in Reitz at about 17:45 and travelled towards a hiking spot in the direction of Tweeling.

Police said that the woman boarded a white vehicle without knowing that her former boyfriend was allegedly inside and had planned to attack her.

“According to the preliminary information, the victim had knocked off duty as usual at approximately 17:45 at her workplace in Reitz and proceeded towards a hiking spot in the direction of Tweeling. She reportedly boarded a white motor vehicle, unaware that her former boyfriend was already inside and had allegedly planned an attack against her,” said the police.
“When the vehicle reached 10th Street in Tweeling, the victim alighted. Shortly thereafter, the suspect also got out of the vehicle, allegedly grabbed her and shot her in the head at close range. The suspect then fled the scene in the direction of Reitz.”

Members of the public alerted police and provided information about the suspect’s movements, prompting officers from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit and Tweeling Visible Policing to launch a pursuit.

Police later spotted the suspect hitchhiking. FCS officers travelling in a Mahindra vehicle and dressed in civilian clothing stopped near him.

The suspect allegedly approached the vehicle, apparently believing the officers were offering him a lift. He then noticed a second police vehicle occupied by uniformed officers stopping behind the Mahindra.

According to SAPS, the suspect allegedly drew a firearm and opened fire on the uniformed officers, unaware that the occupants of the Mahindra were also police officials.

Fatally wounded 

“The members in the Mahindra immediately responded to the attack, and the suspect was fatally wounded during the ensuing exchange of gunfire,” SAPS said.

A murder case has been opened over the woman’s death, while an inquest docket has been registered following the suspect’s death.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) will investigate the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death, as required by law.

Free State Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia condemned the killing and expressed concern over the escalation of domestic violence-related incidents.

He also commended members of the public who alerted police and provided information that helped officers locate the suspect.

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