A Detective Police Constable (32) is due to appear at the Carolina Magistrate’s Court today, following an incident in which he allegedly shot and killed his spouse, her mother and injured her step-father. This horrific and shocking incident, which was strongly condemned by the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela occurred at Carolina on Sunday, 14 January 2024 around 03:15.
According to a report, on that fateful day, the dramatic event began when the suspect allegedly informed the mother of his children that he had a breakdown and requested her to assist in towing his vehicle.
Thereafter it is said that his partner, together with her mother, step-father as well as her three children went out in her VW Polo to help, without being aware that a tragedy was looming.
Upon arrival, it is further reported that the suspect allegedly opened fire then fatally shot his partner and her mother as well as injured her stepfather who sustained a gunshot wound but survived.
It is also said that thereafter, the suspect jumped into his partner’s vehicle then fled the scene with the three minors who were inside, leaving behind the victims bleeding profusely.
The Police were somehow alerted about the incident meanwhile the suspect is said to have reportedly lost control of the vehicle as he was fleeing and capsized. He was then trapped inside the car with the children and Police were notified.
Upon arrival at the accident scene, the astute members arrested the suspect whilst paramedics attended to the children and took one of them to hospital for treatment of minor injuries. A firearm is said to have also been confiscated during the arrest. It is not yet clear whether the victims were shot with an official firearm or not, that will form part of the investigation which is still ongoing.
Sadly, the children’s mother as well as their grandmother were unfortunately certified dead at the scene whilst their grandfather was admitted in hospital for medical treatment.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) will also conduct their own investigation into this dreadful incident.
Meanwhile the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has further expressed her disappointment by the tragic incident which for now appears to be Domestic Violence related according to the reports. “It is indeed unfortunate that one of our own members that should be protective is alleged to have wipe out members of a family, which leaves behind children in a very traumatic situation. We really urge members to seek professional help whenever they experience difficulties in their families or relationships rather than resorting to acts of violence. There are various interventions set aside for the members within the Service to curb such incidents, one of such is the Employee Health and Wellness (EHW) which members can easily access, ” said the General.
