Off-duty JMPD officer allegedly kills colleague during Soweto domestic dispute

An off-duty Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officer has been arrested

Image: Simphiwe Mbokazi / Independent Newspapers

An off-duty Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officer has been arrested after allegedly shooting and killing a fellow off-duty officer during an apparent domestic dispute in Protea Glen, Soweto, on Sunday morning.

The shooting happened at about 3.30 am in Glenridge Extension 16.

According to JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla, preliminary reports indicate that the suspect officer was involved in a domestic altercation with her girlfriend before contacting a colleague and friend, who was also an off-duty JMPD officer, to assist in transporting the girlfriend away from the scene.

Fihla said the responding officer arrived at the residence, and the girlfriend got into her white Kia sedan. As the vehicle was driving away, the suspect allegedly fired seven shots from her service firearm at the departing vehicle.

"Tragically, the responding off-duty officer sustained fatal gunshot wounds during the shooting. The vehicle sustained extensive damage to both its front and rear windows," Fihla said.

"The suspect, a female JMPD officer, was arrested at the scene immediately following the incident. In line with legal protocols, the identity of the suspect cannot be revealed at this stage and will only be made public once she has formally appeared in court".

Fihla added that the identity of the deceased officer is also being withheld out of respect for her family and until formal notifications have been completed.

He said members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) processed the crime scene and registered a murder case at Protea SAPS.

"As this matter involves a law enforcement officer discharging a service firearm, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has been formally notified and has taken over the primary investigation.

"The JMPD is deeply saddened by this senseless loss of life within our ranks. We are fully cooperating with SAPS and IPID investigators to ensure justice is served. Out of respect for the grieving families and the sensitive nature of the ongoing criminal investigation, no further comments will be issued at this stage".