A police officer, attached to the Limpopo provincial crime intelligence unit, allegedly shot a senior female cop, a former cop before turning the gun on himself in a suspected love triangle. The incident took place at the female officer's house in Southern Gateway, Polokwane, on Sunday.

A LOVE-TRIANGLE 

It's alleged that the police sergeant was in a relationship with the senior cop, a brigadier, but their relationship was strained because of cheating allegations. A cop close to the officers told ZiMoja that the two officers had been in a relationship for seven years and have a child together. "The brigadier was dumped by the officer and started dating the former cop, who was fired from the force after being arrested and charged with ATM bombing," the cop said, adding that this did not sit well with the sergeant as he was also friends with the former cop. "They all stayed in the same area. He felt betrayed by both his ex and friend. He went to the former cop's house on Sunday to talk to the former cop and found his girlfriend there. That's when he shot them and killed himself," the friend said.

MURDER AND SUICIDE

SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said upon arrival at the scene, the police were informed that the sergeant went to the former police officer's home where an altercation ensued. "It is said following the heated argument, the police sergeant opened fire on the former officer and then chased a female senior officer, who tried to escape using her car. Unfortunately, the deceased suspect fired several shots at her resulting in her succumbing to the gunshot wounds," Mashaba said, adding that the cop managed to get inside the senior officer's car and turned the gun on himself. "The police found the police sergeant with a gunshot wound to his head and the female officer with multiple gunshot wounds. Both victims were certified dead at the scene. The former officer who was also shot was rushed to the hospital to receive medical attention,"said Mashaba. The police have since opened cases of murder, attempted murder and an inquest.

The provincial police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe condemned the incident. "We condemn this heinous act of violence in the strongest possible terms. Such actions are regrettable and in direct contravention of the values and principles of SAPS. The loss of members within the service is a severe blow to our communities and the SAPS family at large," said Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe. She said that as the SAPS, they are providing all the necessary support to the affected families of the victims during these challenging times. "We urge the public to respect the privacy of the families involved and to refrain from speculating on the details of the case until all facts are established," concluded General Hadebe.