In yet another horrific GBV incident, a Hawks officer allegedly killed his wife inside of a neighbours house he had chased her into.
The 41-year-old warrant officer was expected to appear at the Stellenbosch Magistrate’s Court on Monday facing a charge of murder. This follows his arrest at the weekend.
According to Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) spokesperson Phaladi Shuping the police officer had an argument with his wife at their Khayamnandi home on Saturday.
“The 41-year-old wife ran out of the house but the police officer allegedly followed her and fired several shots.
“The wife ran into the neighbour's house but the police officer allegedly followed her inside the house, and fired several shots again, in full view of the residents in the house,” said Shuping
The woman was declared dead at the scene by medical personnel.
The incident was reported to IPID and the officer apprehended. Hawks spokesperson Siyabulela Vukubi said the member was not suspended and would advise as soon as the internal processes are dealt with.
Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli addressed the funeral of Nontobeko Cele, whose brutal killing by her boyfriend was posted on social media.
The murder of Cele, 25, drew widespread condemnation after her boyfriend Sibusiso Lawrence Ntaka posted a chilling video on social media showing her lifeless body. Ntaka then took his own life.
The funeral, held on Monday at KaMkakwa Hall in uMzinto in the Ugu District Municipality, was attended by Sport, Arts, and Culture MEC Mntomuhle Khawula and former Police Minister Bheki Cele.
Speaking at the funeral, Ntuli expressed condolences and called for decisive action against gender-based violence.
“We must condemn in the strongest terms this kind of brutality against women. Gender-based violence is a scourge that continues to devastate our communities, and we must all work together to end it,” he said.
Ntuli also urged victims of abuse to leave toxic relationships before it was too late.
“I want to say to anyone who finds themselves in a relationship where they feel unsafe or unloved, please walk away. Your safety and your life are more important than staying in a relationship that puts you at risk,” he pleaded.
The Premier further encouraged couples to resolve conflicts peacefully.
“We must promote communication and negotiation in our relationships. Violence should never be seen as a solution to problems. Love should not end in tragedy,” he added.
According to the First South African National Gender-Based Assault Study, 35.5% of women in South Africa have experienced physical or sexual assault in their lifetime.
Cape Times