Off-duty cop arrested over Limpopo tavern shooting

An off-duty police officer is under investigation after he allegedly shot a 24-year-old patron at a tavern in Limpopo.

Tinmyn police in Waterberg District were reportedly alerted to the shooting incident just outside the tavern at Bakenburg on Monday.

Shooting

Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said that when officers arrived at the scene, they were notified that the victim had been transported to a local hospital.

“On their arrival at the hospital, they found the victim who was already pronounced dead.

“Further information suggests that the victim was brought to the hospital by the suspect, who is a member of the police, attached to OR Tambo International Airport,” Ledwaba said.

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Investigations

Ledwaba said preliminary investigations revealed that the patron and the suspect were drivers in their respective cars when they apparently had a heated confrontation, which resulted in the shooting.

“The suspect allegedly stopped his vehicle and took the victim to hospital. The victim had a wound on the right cheek.

“The motive behind this incident, which resulted in the killing of the victim, is under investigation. The suspect’s official firearm has been confiscated as part of the investigation. The matter has been reported to [police watchdog, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID)] for their further handling,” Ledwaba said.

Court

Acting Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Major General Samuel Manala has ordered an investigation into the incident.

Ledwaba said the suspect who has been detained in Tinmyn police station is expected to appear before the Mahwelereng Magistrate’s Court soon on a charge of murder.

Wynberg court shooting

Meanwhile, a second suspect is expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 22 April 2025, in connection with a murder that took place in the same court building.

The suspect, a 24-year-old woman, was arrested over the weekend by detectives from the Western Cape’s Serious and Violent Crimes Unit. She is facing charges of murder.

It comes after Dingalomoya Chintso, a 50-year-old taxi operator from Vrygrond, was shot inside the court building on Tuesday, 8 April.

Another woman, 35-year-old Shireen Matthews, was the first person arrested in connection with the murder. She was apprehended on Sunday, 13 April and appeared in court the next day.

She is believed to be the mastermind behind the shooting.

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