The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe is profoundly disturbed by the tragic incident that occurred on Sunday, in which a police Sergeant shot a former Police Officer and then fatally wounded a female officer at the rank of Brigadier.
The Police Sergeant also took his own life with his service pistol following the ordeal.
According to preliminary reports, the police responded to a shooting incident at Southern Gateway in Westenburg policing area, outside Polokwane on Sunday, 28 July 2024 at about 13:30.
Upon arrival, the police found a male victim with a gunshot wound to his head and the female officer with multiple gunshot wounds.
Both victims were certified dead at the scene.
The investigation further indicates that another male victim, a former police officer residing within the same vicinity as the senior officer, was initially shot and rushed to the hospital to receive medical attention.
The reports suggest that the police 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.
“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.
“The police sergeant was attached to the Provincial Crime Intelligence Unit and the Senior Officer was the Head of the Provincial Registrar.
“The motive for the incident is not yet known,” Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said.
The Police have since opened cases of murder, attempted murder and an inquest.
Hadebe accompanied by Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection, Major General Samuel Manala, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) as well as the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) visited the scene.
“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. Lastly , 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,” concluded Hadebe.
Mashaba said the police will continue with its integrated approach to address police safety through community awareness and mobilisation as well as interdepartmental co-operation.
