SA – The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), a police watchdog, said on Saturday that the 39-year-old Northern Cape police sergeant who allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with his service pistol had fatally shot his wife three times.

The officer also shot a 24-year-old man who was at the scene with his 32-year-old wife, raising the possibility of a love triangle. According to Ipid national spokesperson Grace Langa, the alleged love affair could not be officially confirmed without the involvement of the concerned families.

“On (Saturday]) at about 8am the Ipid members responsible for Springbok policing precinct received a phone call of a murder and attempted murder that occurred in Springbok. They proceeded to the crime scene and arrived at 12 (midday) in Springbok,” said Langa.

“It is alleged that at about 6.05am, a complainant reported to the police that a member of POPS (public order police) Springbok shot and killed his wife and wounded another male person who was with the deceased.”

Langa said the 32-year-old woman was shot three times. “She had one entry wound on the rear right shoulder and two gunshot wounds to the right hip and underneath the right arm. She was declared dead on the crime scene,” said Langa.

“The second victim is a 24-year-old coloured male. He was shot on the head and sustained one entry and one exit wound on the side of his head. His condition is critical. He was treated at Springbok hospital and will be transferred to Upington Hospital.”

Langa identified the suspect as a deceased police sergeant assigned to the Springbok POP Unit. “Sergeant Hoffmann left the scene after the alleged incident and was later found on Carolusberg Road where he allegedly committed suicide in his car by shooting himself with his service pistol,” said Langa.

She stated that the deceased police office had one gunshot wound under his chin and one exit wound on his head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Langa stated that Ipid investigators have three cartridge cases and three projectiles from the shootings of the wife and the 24-year-old man. Inside the car where the officer died, a single cartridge case was discovered.

According to Langa, the deceased police officer was discovered with his wife’s cellphone. “At this moment the motive is unknown and will only be known after the family has been interviewed,” said Langa.

Credit: surgezirc