The Garden Route town of George was struck by tragedy on the eve of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children on Friday when police officer Mzwamadoda Fuzani allegedly killed his girlfriend’s 30-year-old sister.
After unsuccessfully “hunting” for his girlfriend, Fuzani then turned the gun on himself.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) is now investigating a murder and suicide case. The incident happened in Thembalethu, George.
According to Ipid Fuzani was based at SAPS Middleburg in Eastern Cape.
Ipid received a report of the discharge of a police firearm by an off-duty policeman was on Friday.
It is alleged that after the killing, the suspect went hunting for his girlfriend, who is also a member of the SAPS in Middelburg.
“Failing to trace his girlfriend, the suspect realised that the police were looking for him and he then decided to flee the area in his private car,
“He managed to commit suicide by shooting himself with the firearm, some 200km away from Middelburg,” said Ipid spokesperson Sontaga Seisa.
Women and child rights activist Lucinda Evans said: “We need to ask what resources are available to police officers who suffer domestic and gender-based violence.
She added that some officers do not want to report the trauma they suffer to their Employee Health and Wellness Resource.
More: IOL