Off- duty police officer killed during scuffle
A police source reported that at about 5am an argument broke out between two men who were waiting to be served at a liquor outlet in Ulundi
ULUNDI police are investigating two cases of murder that occurred at Mbilane area on Sunday morning.
A police source reported that at about 5am an argument broke out between two men who were waiting to be served at a liquor outlet in Ulundi.
‘The place had just opened in the morning, as it also operates as a car wash. There were dozens of people waiting to be served when a fight started between two men, which forced an off-duty Ngome police officer, Constable Gift Ndebele to intervene,’ he said
‘A security guard also joined the ruckus, pulling out his tonfa baton and hitting the police officer on the head,’ he said.
He said Constable Ndebele then pulled out his service pistol and fired several shots, hoping for the guard to run away.
Instead, he wrestled with Ndebele to gain access to the gun and then shot him twice in the head and once in the stomach.
‘Constable Ndebele collapsed and was declared dead on the scene together with Sifiso Khumalo, who was not involved in the fight but was shot by mistake during the scuffle,’ he said.
The source said when the SAPS arrived at the scene they discovered a service pistol Z88 on the scene and the injured security guard, who was airlifted to hospital for medical attention.
Police spokesperson Captain Nkosi Gwala confirmed that two cases of murder and attempted murder are under investigation at Ulundi SAPS.
Gwala refused to comment on the allegation of SAPS members joining in the fight and said this might jeopardise ongoing investigations.
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