By Bongiwe Zwane-Maseko
A North West police officer has turned himself in to the police in connection with the murder of his wife and her male companion.
The officer, 48, allegedly fired several shots at his 44-year-old estranged wife and her 30-year-old companion in Sandvlakte, Zeerust, on Tuesday.
The man is expected to appear in the Zeerust Magistrate’s Court on two counts of murder on Thursday.
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Police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, said the incident happened at the home of the officer’s wife.
“The off-duty police officer, who is stationed in Nietverdiend, went to a house in Sandvlakte, where he allegedly fired several shots and instantly killed a 30-year-old man and his estranged wife, who was also a police officer who was stationed at Kopfontein Port of Entry.”
“Subsequent to the incident, the suspect handed himself over to the police, and the firearm that was allegedly used in the commission of the crime was confiscated,” said Mokgwabone.
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Mokgwabone said the motive for the incident was unknown and investigations were underway. Mokgwabone said the accused and his wife were not living together. He said he did not know where their five children, aged 9 to 24, were at the time of the incident.
North West police commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, conveyed his condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of both victims.
He urged police employees to use the services of the employee health and wellness programme and other professionals instead of resorting to violence.
