The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma has strongly condemned incidents of domestic violence involving members of the SAPS at Embalenhle and Breyten respectively.
In the incident which occurred at Breyten, a 45-year-old police Sergeant is alleged to have shot and killed his 35-year-old wife as well as injured her two brothers before turning the gun on himself, earlier yesterday, 21 June 2020.
Meanwhile, a 28-year-old female Constable was assaulted, allegedly by the father of her child who is also a police Constable.
This incident took place during the early hours of Saturday morning, 20 June 2020, at Embalenhle whilst both members were off duty.
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According to information, in the shooting incident which took place at Breyten, the officer who was stationed at Hendrina SAPS, reportedly got into a heated argument with his wife on Saturday, prompting her to move out.
She asked her brothers to accompany her to fetch her belongings yesterday, however upon arriving at the house, a scuffle broke out. The member allegedly drew his firearm, shot and injured her brothers and took his wife into the house where he fatally shot her and then turned the gun on himself.
Police and medical personnel were summoned to the scene and upon arrival found the Sergeant and his wife lying in a pool of blood motionless and they were both certified dead.
Police opened a case of murder, two counts of attempted murder as well as an inquest. The two surviving victims were rushed to hospital for medical assistance.
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In the incident which occurred at Embalenhle, it was reported that the female officer woke up during the early hours of Saturday morning and went to report to the 34-year-old father of the child (male officer) that the child was sick.
An argument broke out between the two thereafter, which apparently led to the assault.
Police opened a case of Assault with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and the suspect was arrested, charged accordingly as well as his service firearm seized.
The Provincial Commissioner is deeply disturbed by the two incidents more so as they were allegedly committed by police officers and are regrettable.
He has reiterated that people should refrain from using violence to resolve domestic issues.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Zuma also indicated that the police management view the two incidents in a very serious light and warn other members not to emulate any unlawful act which has a potential to tarnish the image of the police.
“As the police, we have our Employee Health and Wellness Unit which members can use whenever they experience any personal issues and their services are readily available as well as accessible to all members. We cannot allow a situation where Gender-Based-Violence is perpetuated by members within our ranks especially during this period where there has been a public outcry of such incidents and members should be there to remedy the situation not to exacerbate the already unacceptable pressure,” said General Zuma.
Meanwhile the suspect on the assault case is expected to appear at the Evander Magistrate’s Court today, Monday 22 June 2020.
