CAROLINA – Sibusiso Mxolisi Hlophe (32), a police officer, appeared in the Carolina Magistrate’s Court on January 16 in connection with a double murder and an attempted murder.

It is alleged the officer shot and killed his spouse and her mother, and he also shot and wounded her stepfather.

This incident, which was strongly condemned by the provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, occurred in Carolina on January 14.

According to Colonel Donald Mdhluli, a provincial police spokesperson, the suspect allegedly informed the mother of his children that his car had broken down. He requested help from her to assist in towing his vehicle.

“His partner, her mother, her stepfather, and her three children drove to him to help, unaware that a tragedy was looming for them,” Mdhluli said.

Upon their arrival, the suspect allegedly opened fire on them. He fatally shot his partner and her mother and injured her stepfather, who sustained a gunshot wound.

The suspect reportedly then jumped into his partner’s vehicle and fled the scene with the three minors inside, leaving the victims behind at the scene.

While the suspect was fleeing the scene, he lost control of the vehicle, and it overturned. He was trapped inside the car with the children, after which police were notified.

When police arrived at the accident scene, they arrested the suspect. Paramedics attended to the children, of whom one was admitted to hospital with minor injuries.

A firearm is said to have been confiscated during the arrest.

The children’s mother and their grandmother were certified dead at the scene, and the grandfather was admitted to hospital for medical treatment.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate will conduct an investigation into the incident.

Manamela has expressed her disappointment in the incident. “It is indeed unfortunate that one of our own members, who should be protecting people, is alleged to have wiped out members of a family, which leaves behind children in a very dire situation.”

She urged police members to seek professional help whenever they experience difficulties with family members or in their relationships, rather than resorting to acts of violence.

“There are various interventions set aside for police officers to curb such incidents. Police members have access to the Employee Health and Wellness programme that members can easily access,” Manamela concluded.

The accused appeared at the Carolina Magistrate’s Court on January 16 and the case was postponed to the next day during which the suspect applied for bail and for legal representation.