A devastating shooting at the Nkowankowa police station outside Tzaneen has claimed the lives of two police officers, in an incident authorities are linking to gender-based violence.
According to police reports, a male sergeant shot and killed a female constable, who was his partner, before turning his service pistol on himself. Both officers died at the scene last night.
The shooting occurred at the Ritavi police station following a domestic violence incident. Preliminary information indicates the constable was at the station to open a case against her partner. Shortly afterwards, the sergeant arrived, drew his firearm, and shot the constable dead. He then took his own life.
Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba confirmed the grim details and the dual investigations now underway. “We can confirm that we are investigating a case of murder and an inquest. A murder in the sense that the constable was shot dead by the sergeant… and then we are also investigating an inquest because the sergeant turned the gun on himself,” Mashaba stated.
He underscored the incident as a stark example of the scourge of gender-based violence, particularly during the global 16 Days of Activism campaign against such violence. “Let me indicate that this is one of the devastating impacts of gender-based violence that we have noticed in the province,” he said.
The community of Nkowankowa and the South African Police Service are reeling from the loss of two colleagues in what appears to be a deeply personal tragedy that unfolded within a place of safety. Investigations into the murder and inquest dockets are continuing.