Cape Town — The South African Police Services (SAPS) in Limpopo has confirmed that two police officers lost their lives after one officer shot his colleague before turning the gun on himself.
In an incident that took place in Southern Gateway in Westenburg on Sunday, SAPS reported that a sergeant in the Provincial Crime Intelligence Unit was accused of shooting a woman brigadier, who was the Head of the Provincial Registrar before he shot and killed himself.
Another officer was also left seriously injured, a statement said.
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Limpopo police spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, said when police arrived at the crime scene they found a male victim with a gunshot wound to his head and a woman officer with multiple gunshot wounds.
Mashaba said both victims were certified dead on the scene while another former police officer was shot and wounded, and now remains in intensive care.
“The reports suggest that the sergeant went to the former police officer’s residence, where an altercation ensued. He then opened fire on him and rushed back to the female senior officer, who tried to escape using her car,” Mashaba said.
“Unfortunately, the suspect fired several shots at her, resulting in her succumbing to the gunshot wounds. The raging police sergeant managed to get inside the senior officer’s car and turned the gun on himself,” Mashaba added.
Police said at this stage, the motive for the shooting was not known, and cases of murder, attempted murder and an inquest docket were opened for investigation.
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Limpopo SAPS Police Commissioner, Thembi Hadebe, visited the scene and condemned the heinous violence. She was deeply disturbed by the tragic incident.
“We condemn this heinous act of violence in the strongest possible terms. Such actions are regrettable and in direct contravention of the values and principles of SAPS. The loss of members within the service is a severe blow to our communities and the SAPS family at large,” said Hadebe.
“We are providing all the necessary support to the affected families of the victims during these challenging times. We urge the public to respect the privacy of the families involved and to refrain from speculating on the details of the case until all facts are established,” she concluded.
SASP said it will continue with its integrated approach to address police safety through community awareness and mobilisation as well as interdepartmental co-operation.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
