Limpopo police sergeant found dead under tree after allegedly killing wife

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Opens in new windowOpens in new windowEnter fullscreen mode displaying this image.ExpandA Limpopo police sergeant was found dead hours after his wife’s alleged murder. Picture: 123RF/Fernando Gregory Milan Story audio is generated using AI

A 39-year-old police sergeant was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head on Thursday morning, hours after allegedly shooting his 35-year-old wife dead in Abbotspoort village, Limpopo.

The sergeant, who was stationed at Witpoort police station, allegedly shot his wife on Wednesday in Martinique village, in the Villa Nora policing area.

Emergency medical services were called to the scene, where the woman was declared dead.

Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba said the suspect fled in his white Isuzu bakkie, sparking a manhunt by police.

At about 6.30am on Thursday, police received information that the vehicle had been spotted parked along the road in Botshabelo section, under the Tom Burke policing area.

Officers who responded to the scene found the bakkie about 100 metres from where the sergeant’s body was discovered under a marula tree. He had a gunshot wound to the head, and his state-issued firearm was found next to him.

An inquest docket has been opened at Tom Burke police station.

“The motive for the incident is unknown at this stage, but domestic violence cannot be ruled out,” Ledwaba said.

Limpopo police commissioner Lt-Gen Jan Scheepers condemned the incident, describing it as an act of gender-based violence and femicide.

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