KwaMhlanga Shooting: Mother and Police Officer Killed, Female Constable Hospitalised
A deadly shooting in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga, has left two people dead and a female police constable wounded in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Police have since launched a high-level investigation into the incident.
Also Read: Police Sergeant Guns Down Wife, Wounds Kids and Mother-in-Law in Deadly Shooting Spree
Fatal Confrontation in Suncity A
According to IOL, the shooting erupted around 2:30 am in Suncity A, where officers discovered the body of a 69-year-old woman alongside that of a male constable. Both had sustained fatal gunshot wounds. Paramedics declared them dead at the scene.
The injured female constable, believed to have been romantically involved with the deceased officer, was rushed to hospital after being shot. Police recovered two firearms, suspected to be state-issued, and several cartridges at the scene.
Investigation Underway
Police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli confirmed that detectives are probing the circumstances of the shooting. While the motive is still unclear, investigators are not ruling out the possibility of domestic violence.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has also been called in to conduct its own inquiry. No arrests have been made so far.
Commissioner Condemns Tragedy
Acting provincial commissioner Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi described the incident as “deeply disheartening.” He urged officers to make use of professional and medical support services when facing personal difficulties.
“Only yesterday we gathered in White River for the POLMED Symposium, encouraging our members to seek help through their medical schemes and other available resources. It is heartbreaking that we are confronted with such a devastating loss so soon after,” Mkhwanazi said.