BLOEMFONTEIN – The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is investigating the murder of a Bloemfontein police constable allegedly shot and killed by another officer. The fatal shooting incident took place at the Bloemspruit Police Station on Saturday, 8 November.
The identity of the deceased officer is yet to be revealed including his age, as well as that of the suspect. Details surrounding the incident and the motive thereof are part of an investigation.
Phaladi Shuping, spokesperson for the IPID, said – according to information received – the incident happened when members of the Bloemspruit Visible Policing (Vispol) were about to disperse after the parade at the station. The suspect and the deceased were among the members of the Vispol who were on the parade.
“After the parade, when they were about to disperse, the deceased constable was seen with the accused constable who was fiddling with his service pistol. The other police officers allegedly heard a gunshot, and they saw the deceased constable falling to the ground and bleeding from the head. The deceased was declared dead by paramedics,” said Shuping.
He said the incident was reported to the IPID and the suspect was arrested on allegations of murder. The suspect is expected to appear in court soon.
Shuping said an investigation is ongoing by the South African police watchdog, which is responsible for investigating misconduct and criminal offenses committed by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and municipal police services (MPS).
