Suicide in TMPD cop’s death not ruled out

Suicide could be a possibility in the weekend death of a Tshwane metro police officer, Pretoria Moot Rekord reports.

Constable Thinus Swarts (29) was found dead with a gunshot wound in his flat in Hercules around 11:00 on Saturday 17 February.

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His service pistol was found next to him.

Metro police spokesperson, Senior-Superintendent Isaac Mahamba said the Hercules police were investigating the death.

The possibility of a suicide could not be ruled out, he said.

“The metro police would assist if there is a need but we would get approval from the police first,” he said.

Mahamba said the circumstances around the death were still unclear.

Messages of condolences from family, friends and colleagues streamed in via social media.

“I never had the honour of working with him, but as a member of the Tshwane metro, I am very sorry for the loss his family and friends has to face,” Mountain View CPF chairperson Noekie Salmon said.

“It is very sad to lose a friend so dear to me. I am going to miss you dearly,” a Facebook user said.

Swart was described by his friends as a loving person.

Mahamba said no funeral arrangements have been made yet.

“Funeral arrangements will be announced later this week,” he said.

On the day of Swart’s death, concerned colleagues made numerous phone calls to get hold of him after he failed to report for duty.

“A colleague who stays in the same complex as Swart decided to go check on him and made the gruesome discovery,” Mahamba said.

Swart was with the metro drug unit at the time of his death.

Traffic cop found dead

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