Domestic violence may be the reason why an elderly woman and a police officer were shot dead, and another cop seriously injured in Kwamhlanga, Nelspruit, on 4 September.
The Kwamhlanga police are investigating the deaths of the 69-year-old woman, whose daughter, a constable, was shot, but survived the tragic incident. The 30-year-old male Constable succumbed to his gunshot injuries following the incident that occurred in the early hours of the morning.
According to a media statement, police indicated the motive for the shooting is unclear at present. However, it further stated: “No one has been arrested so far. Police cannot rule out the possibility that the incident could be related to domestic violence.”
Service pistols used in the domestic violence incident
The statement points to the possibility that the couple, who were in a relationship, had a spat that prompted the shooting.
Police confirmed that the two Constables’ service pistols were used for the killings.
“The police received a complaint about a shooting, and upon arrival, they found the body of the old woman with gunshot wounds. At the crime scene, police also found the body of the male Constable, who had also succumbed to gunshot wounds. The two were certified dead by the paramedics who attended the scene,” said the Kwamhlanga Police.
The female Constable survived the shooting and was hospitalised.
A second investigation into the shooting of the police officers is underway by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.
Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, the acting provincial commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, said it was “disheartening” that such tragic incidents occurred among police officers.
He urged members experiencing relationship problems to seek help that’s at their disposal. Mkhwanzi reminded members that an Employee Health and Wellness Programme was in place to tackle such problems.
In an ironic twist, the Mpumalanga police held a symposium a day before the shooting aimed at emphasising the need for police officials to seek help when faced with “life challenges”.
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