The death toll from a shooting incident in Hennenman has risen to five after a victim succumbed to injuries at Bongani Hospital in Welkom, authorities confirmed.
A 47-year-old police official, stationed in Hennenman as a Rural Safety Coordinator, is alleged to have shot five people in the early hours of Sunday. Three individuals died at the scene, two others sustained injuries, and the officer later died by suicide. A police spokesperson stated that the hospitalized victim’s death brought the total fatalities to five.
The spokesperson expressed condolences to the grieving families, noting that one family lost four relatives in the tragedy. “The family is devastated and struggling to come to terms with the loss,” the spokesperson said.
According to the police account, the officer began searching for his girlfriend on Saturday night. He drove to the White Plot area near Hennenman and, after failing to locate her at an initial location, proceeded to a nearby residence where the victims were found. The spokesperson said the officer questioned those present about his girlfriend’s whereabouts. Upon being informed she was not there, he allegedly opened fire.
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident remain ongoing.
