Limpopo Police Sergeant Found Dead After Wife Was Allegedly Shot and Killed

Lerato Mrali Published 10 hours ago

3 min read

Add PrimeTime News as a preferred source on Google

A 39-year-old police sergeant was found dead in Limpopo on Thursday morning, 22 October 2026, hours after his 35-year-old wife was allegedly shot and killed. Police launched a manhunt after the fatal shooting, which occurred on Wednesday, 21 October.

The officer, who was stationed at Witpoort Police Station, was later found beneath a marula tree in the Botshabelo section, within the Tom Burke policing area. He had sustained a gunshot wound to the head, and his state-issued firearm was found next to his body.

Wife Allegedly Shot Dead in Martinique Village

The incident began on Wednesday in Martinique village, within the Villa Nora policing area in Limpopo, where the police sergeant allegedly shot his wife.

Emergency medical services were called to the scene, where the 35-year-old woman was declared dead.

Following the shooting, the officer allegedly left the scene in a white Isuzu bakkie. Police subsequently launched a manhunt to locate him and establish his whereabouts.

The circumstances leading up to the shooting have not been fully established, and police have not confirmed a motive.

Police Find Officer’s Body Under Marula Tree

At approximately 6:30am on Thursday, police received information that the officer’s white Isuzu bakkie had been spotted parked beside a road in the Botshabelo section, under the Tom Burke policing area.

Officers responded to the information and located the vehicle. The bakkie was found approximately 100 metres from where the sergeant’s body was discovered beneath a marula tree.

The officer had sustained a gunshot wound to the head. His state-issued firearm was found next to him.

The discovery came hours after the alleged fatal shooting of his wife and while police were searching for him.

Police Open Inquest

Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that an inquest docket had been opened at Tom Burke Police Station following the discovery of the officer’s body.

Ledwaba said the motive behind the incident remained unknown at this stage, adding that domestic violence could not be ruled out.

An inquest allows authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding a death where the cause or manner of death requires further examination.

The investigation will need to establish the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death, as well as those leading to the officer being found dead the following morning.

Limpopo Police Commissioner Condemns Incident

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

The incident has raised serious concerns because it involves the alleged killing of a woman by her police officer husband, followed by the discovery of the officer’s body with a fatal gunshot wound.

Police have not publicly established the motive, and the circumstances surrounding both deaths remain subject to investigation.

Investigation Continues

The 35-year-old woman and the 39-year-old police sergeant are both dead following the events of Wednesday and Thursday.

The available police information confirms that the woman was declared dead at the scene after the alleged shooting, while the officer was found the following morning with a gunshot wound to the head and his service firearm beside him.

An inquest has been opened at Tom Burke Police Station. The motive and the full circumstances surrounding the two deaths have not yet been confirmed.