GQEBERHA – A Gqeberha police couple have died in an apparent murder-suicide at their Parsons Vlei home, with preliminary information indicating that the husband allegedly shot and killed his wife before turning the firearm on himself, while their two minor children were inside the house at the time of the incident.

According to police spokesperson Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa, preliminary information indicates that the couple was involved in an altercation at their home before the shooting on 18 July at about 00:05.

She said police were called to the scene, where they found the bodies of a 34-year-old female police official and her 44-year-old husband, who was also a police official.

“Both individuals were found with gunshot wounds and were declared deceased at the scene,” said Mawisa.

She said the woman was a Sergeant based at Mount Road Police Station, while the man, also a Sergeant, was based at New Brighton Police Station.

“The circumstances surrounding this tragedy form part of the ongoing investigation,” said Mawisa.

“The firearm believed to have been used in the incident has been recovered and confiscated by police.”

Mawisa said the SAPS Employee Health and Wellness Programme has been activated to provide the necessary support and counselling to affected colleagues and family members, including the two minors who were present in the house at the time of the incident.

“SAPS condemns any form of violence, particularly incidents involving members of the police service who killed their partners and then fatally shot themselves. Members are urged to seek help when they are experiencing any form of emotional distress,” said Mawisa.

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