An argument between a South African Police Service member and a Johannesburg Metro Police Department officer ended in tragedy when one shot the other dead. In a video that emerged on social media recently, the traffic cop is seen trying to get access to the SAPS officer, who was sitting inside a car, but was blocked by another guy. Reports state that both officers were off duty at the time and were not supposed to be carrying their service pistols. 

A source close to the situation told Zimoja that the JMPD officer got pissed off when he discovered that his new girlfriend was at a nightclub with her ex and baby daddy. The source said the two have a three-month-old baby but had broken up. "The woman was now dating the traffic cop and they were spending a lot of time together. We don't know who told him that his girlfriend was spotted with her ex, the SAPS police officer. When he got there the girlfriend was in her baby daddy's car and refused to get out. The two men started arguing and suddenly a gun was pulled out," said the source. The source added that the shooting could have been avoided but his friend, the JMPD officer kept on provoking the other guy.  "I know for a fact that my friend was not going to shoot, he just took out his gun because when he tried to drive away, they blocked him and this was because he beat the SAPS officer and his one friend. He's not a violent person, it's sad that he died for something so petty. We even asked the woman where the baby was when she was out galavanting at night,"

JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said the deceased was allegedly exiting the parking lot when a vehicle prevented him from leaving. "An argument ensued between the driver and the officer, and shots were fired. The (JMPD) officer was declared dead on the scene."

Fihla said there were other occupants in the vehicle of the SAPS officer and according to reports, the suspect has not yet been arrested. IPID's Robbie Raburabu confirmed the shooting. "The incident is said to have happened in the early hours of Monday morning in Braamfontein in front of what is said to be a drinking spot. There have not been any arrests yet but IPID is investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting and death. Unfortunately, the names of people involved cannot be made public at this stage," Raburabu said.