Cape Town – A Mbombela municipal official shot and killed a traffic officer after he allegedly found him at a “well-known” lodge in Mpumalanga with his wife.
The bylaw enforcement officer, 38, was arrested over the weekend and is expected to appear in court for the alleged murder of the traffic officer, police said.
According to Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, the victim and a lady friend had booked in at a lodge along the N4, around 15km outside Mbombela on Saturday.
“While they were in the chalet, the female’s husband emerged and kicked open the door. An altercation ensued … as the traffic officer ran out of the chalet and the husband followed as he fired shots,” said Sekgotodi.
She said the victim was shot twice and died of his injuries.
The suspect fled the scene.
The Hawks and the police investigated the scene and called the municipal official, who then handed himself over to the police.
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“His official firearm, which was used during the commission of the crime, was seized. He was charged with murder and detained pending his first court appearance soon. The investigation continues,” Sekgotodi said.
Meanwhile, Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Vusi Shongwe expressed “deep sadness” over the incident and urged officers within the security cluster to seek professional assistance in resolving disputes, reported IOL.
The report said the MEC was concerned about the high number of state-issued firearms used to kill others and said police officers shouldn’t see their service guns as instruments to solve relationship or familial disputes.
“We call on our members of security cluster and community members to solve problems through dialogue. Violence is not the way to deal with family issues as there are avenues that include State departments where there are trained professionals who are always readily available to help,” Shongwe was quoted as saying in the report.
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
