By Kopano Dibakwane
A 39-year-old police Sergeant, stationed at Vosman police station, appeared at Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 3 September for the alleged murder of his 37-year-old wife.
The tragic incident reportedly occurred at Witbank in the early hours of Sunday morning, 1 September.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, the deceased, identified as Elsie Mothali, was shot several times while driving and the vehicle subsequently crashed into a fence before it got stuck in a trench.
“ The Sergeant handed himself to the police in Witbank and also handed a firearm believed to have been used in the commission of crime. The weapon is suspected to be a state-issued firearm and ballistic testing will be conducted as part of the probe,” said Mdhluli.
He said that the motive for the killing is not yet known at stage, but domestic violence cannot be ruled out as investigation into the matter continues.
“ Preliminary investigation suggests that the couple were somehow having some domestic-related challenges,” Mdhluli added.
The Acting Mpumalanga Provincial Police Commissioner, Major-General(Dr)Zeph Mkhwanazi, said an internal investigation has been instituted against the Sergeant, adding to his arrest.
He urged members of the South African Police Service(SAPS) to seek professional help when they are faced with domestic challenges.
Mkhwanazi also said they should make use of the Employee Health and Wellness(EHW) Component which is put in place by SAPS to deal with such instances and that it is free of charge.
“ When members are issued with firearms are solemnly used to fight crime and defend themselves when their lives, or those around them, are in danger. Such reports like this one draws us back in our right against Gender-Based-Violence and Femicide,” Mkhwanazi cautioned.
Colonel Mdhluli said the docket was handed to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate(IPID) for further probing following the Sergeant’s arrest.
The Sergeant will reportedly remain in custody as he awaits his second court appearance scheduled for Tuesday 10 September.
