A 36-year-old woman was allegedly shot by an off-duty police sergeant (43) at a fuel station in Bushbuckridge on Tuesday.

According to a provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the victim had been in the kiosk behind the cash register, where she was employed as a cashier, when the father of her three-year-old girl, who is a police sergeant, reportedly arrived.

Further information indicates he was permitted entry by a security guard as he was known to be a police officer who often visited the victim.

“After entering, it is said that an argument ensued between the two. The official allegedly drew his service pistol during the heated conversation and shot her multiple times. Thereafter, the security guard managed to lock the suspect inside the kiosk before he and the other employees fled the scene, leaving him behind with the victim bleeding profusely. She had sustained gunshot wounds.”

Mohlala said the Bushbuckridge police were alerted. They responded swiftly to the scene and found the officer still inside the kiosk. He was disarmed and arrested, as well as charged with murder. His service firearm was seized for further investigation.

“She was certified dead on the scene by the the paramedics. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate was also informed and will conduct its investigation. The sergeant was working under detective services at Bushbuckridge Police Station. The motive for the killing is unknown at this stage, but domestic violence cannot be ruled out.”

The suspect is expected to appear in the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on charges of murder.