Firearm in wardrobe leads to death of police officer’s wife

The wife of a police constable is believed to have shot herself with her husband’s service firearm after her body was found at their home in Ikageng in the early hours of Monday morning. According to Ikageng SAPS spokesperson, Const. Kelebogile Trom, police were called to the scene at Ditse Street at 00:50 and found a woman, with a head wound, on the ground with a firearm next to her. Trom says two community members were alerted when the woman’s husband rushed towards them, screaming and calling them to see what had just happened.

All emergency vehicles were called to the scene and the Emergency Medical Rescue Service (EMRS) certified the victim dead.

The police have opened a case against the police constable for failing to lock away his firearm.

“He alleges that he left it in a wardrobe, not locked away in a safe,” Trom says.

Potchefstroom SAPS spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone says a case of inquest has been opened following the allegations that the wife of a member of the police had shot herself with his firearm. “An investigation will also be conducted in terms of the Firearms Control Act,” he said.