The Police in Giyani have activated an intensive investigation, after a 37-year-old police Sergeant shot and killed one person and wounded other three people at a tavern in N’wadzekudzeku village, at around 00:30 on Friday, 15 December 2023.
Police were alerted about the shooting incident and on arrival, they found four people with gun wounds. One of them was certified dead by emergency personnel, three were transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.
According to information, the 37-year-old had a heated argument with patrons including the deceased and his friends. The officer pulled out a firearm and fired several shots at them. Some of the customers tried to apprehend him but he fired randomly and fled the scene. One of the patrons identified as Smangaliso Hlungwani age 26, residing at N’wadzekudzeku village died on the scene.
Further investigation revealed that the suspect, arrived at his house in the same village, Nwadzekudzeku and turned a gun onto himself, and died instantly. He was identified as Sukani Page Khosa, a police Sergeant attached at SAPS Mopani District Office.
Police opened a case of murder, three counts of attempted murder and an inquest.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has condemned the incident, “This is an unexpected incident, wherein our police officer is the prime suspect instead of servicing communities during this festive period.” said Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe.
“The law enforcers should conduct themselves accordingly and act within the framework of the law on and off their duties without being ‘trigger happy’ individuals,” concluded Lieutenant General Hadebe.
Police investigations are still continuing.
