Latest news with #Nevhuhulwi
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
Police unions condemn Protea Glen tragedy involving officer; call for mental health solutions
A tragic shooting involving a police captain has raised urgent questions about mental health support within the police force, following the killing of his girlfriend and her brother. Image: File image Police unions have condemned a shocking incident involving one of their own in Protea Glen, calling for urgent action as questions mount over violence within the ranks. This follows a tragic incident in which a police captain allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend, a fellow officer, and her brother, wounded three others, and then turned the gun on himself at a private gathering. According to police, the captain served as a Group Commander stationed in Hillbrow, while his girlfriend was a police sergeant with the Yeoville Detectives. The officer allegedly used his service pistol, a Z88, and six spent cartridges were recovered at the scene. Those injured were immediately rushed to Bheki Mlangeni Hospital for medical treatment. The gathering was reportedly held to celebrate the birthday of the captain's girlfriend. Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said witnesses at the scene reported that the captain called his girlfriend aside, and moments later, he was seen drawing a firearm. 'It is alleged that the group was at home celebrating the birthday of the captain's girlfriend, who is also a police officer. The captain reportedly called the girlfriend to the side, and that is when people saw him draw a firearm, and shoot her and her brother dead while three other civilians sustained injuries. He then turned the gun on himself.' Nevhuhulwi added that police are investigating two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder, and that an inquest docket has been opened at Protea police station. The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) in Gauteng has expressed heartfelt condolences to the families affected by this tragedy, describing the incident as a stark reminder of the serious mental health challenges facing the law enforcement community. 'POPCRU has long warned about the insufficient attention paid to the psychological well-being of our members. The tragic escalation of such incidents, particularly in Gauteng, is indicative of deeper, systemic challenges.' Richard Mamabolo, spokesperson for POPCRU, stated that mental wellness among police officers is one of the most urgent yet overlooked challenges within the criminal justice sector. 'Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), accumulated trauma from crime scenes, lack of debriefing, and personal stressors have become silent burdens, and sadly, they are now increasingly manifesting in the form of violence and suicides,' he added. Mamabolo also emphasised that SAPS management appears to lack structured and sustainable plans to address the mental wellness of police officers. He stressed that the Employee Health and Wellness (EHW) Programme must move beyond mere box-ticking and compliance. Instead, it should be restorative, confidential, and proactive, providing support to officers before they reach a breaking point. 'We call for early detection of suicidal behaviour and interventions that promote awareness and understanding of mental health challenges,' he said. Aligning with this stance, the South African Policing Union (SAPU) denounced all forms of violence, regardless of whether they are carried out by civilians or police officers. Lesiba Thobakgale, spokesperson for SAPU, said that during their December 2022 National Congress, they committed to leading the fight against drugs, corruption, and gender-based violence as members of the working class. He added that they are urging SAPS management to take employee health and wellness seriously and to improve the capacity of the professionals working within these support services. Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended his heartfelt condolences to the affected families. He also urged all SAPS members to make use of Employee Health and Wellness (EHW) services to help them cope with any challenges they may be facing. "We give our members these tools to protect themselves against criminals, so it is very disheartening to see the very same tools being used to kill their loved ones. I urge our members to make use of Employee Health and Wellness facilities to assist them in dealing with any problems they may be facing, whether work or personal. EHW is always there," he said. The Star [email protected]
The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
Police unions condemn Protea Glen tragedy involving officer; call for mental health solutions
Police unions have condemned a shocking incident involving one of their own in Protea Glen, calling for urgent action as questions mount over violence within the ranks. This follows a tragic incident in which a police captain allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend, a fellow officer, and her brother, wounded three others, and then turned the gun on himself at a private gathering. According to police, the captain served as a Group Commander stationed in Hillbrow, while his girlfriend was a police sergeant with the Yeoville Detectives. The officer allegedly used his service pistol, a Z88, and six spent cartridges were recovered at the scene. Those injured were immediately rushed to Bheki Mlangeni Hospital for medical treatment. The gathering was reportedly held to celebrate the birthday of the captain's girlfriend. Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said witnesses at the scene reported that the captain called his girlfriend aside, and moments later, he was seen drawing a firearm. 'It is alleged that the group was at home celebrating the birthday of the captain's girlfriend, who is also a police officer. The captain reportedly called the girlfriend to the side, and that is when people saw him draw a firearm, and shoot her and her brother dead while three other civilians sustained injuries. He then turned the gun on himself.' Nevhuhulwi added that police are investigating two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder, and that an inquest docket has been opened at Protea police station. The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) in Gauteng has expressed heartfelt condolences to the families affected by this tragedy, describing the incident as a stark reminder of the serious mental health challenges facing the law enforcement community. 'POPCRU has long warned about the insufficient attention paid to the psychological well-being of our members. The tragic escalation of such incidents, particularly in Gauteng, is indicative of deeper, systemic challenges.' Richard Mamabolo, spokesperson for POPCRU, stated that mental wellness among police officers is one of the most urgent yet overlooked challenges within the criminal justice sector. 'Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), accumulated trauma from crime scenes, lack of debriefing, and personal stressors have become silent burdens, and sadly, they are now increasingly manifesting in the form of violence and suicides,' he added. Mamabolo also emphasised that SAPS management appears to lack structured and sustainable plans to address the mental wellness of police officers. He stressed that the Employee Health and Wellness (EHW) Programme must move beyond mere box-ticking and compliance. Instead, it should be restorative, confidential, and proactive, providing support to officers before they reach a breaking point. 'We call for early detection of suicidal behaviour and interventions that promote awareness and understanding of mental health challenges,' he said. Aligning with this stance, the South African Policing Union (SAPU) denounced all forms of violence, regardless of whether they are carried out by civilians or police officers. Lesiba Thobakgale, spokesperson for SAPU, said that during their December 2022 National Congress, they committed to leading the fight against drugs, corruption, and gender-based violence as members of the working class. He added that they are urging SAPS management to take employee health and wellness seriously and to improve the capacity of the professionals working within these support services. Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended his heartfelt condolences to the affected families. He also urged all SAPS members to make use of Employee Health and Wellness (EHW) services to help them cope with any challenges they may be facing. "We give our members these tools to protect themselves against criminals, so it is very disheartening to see the very same tools being used to kill their loved ones. I urge our members to make use of Employee Health and Wellness facilities to assist them in dealing with any problems they may be facing, whether work or personal. EHW is always there," he said. The Star [email protected]
The South African
5 days ago
- The South African
Police captain commits suicide after killing girlfriend and her brother
Gauteng police have opened an inquest docket in Protea after a police captain committed suicide after he allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend and her brother. The incident happened in Protea, Soweto, on Saturday night, 26 July. South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in Gauteng, colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said it is alleged that the group was at home celebrating the birthday of the captain's girlfriend, who is also a police officer. 'The captain reportedly called the girlfriend to the side, and that is when people saw him draw a firearm, and shoot her and her brother dead while three other civilians sustained injuries. He then turned the gun on himself,' Nevhuhulwi explained. Two counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and an inquest docket were opened at Protea police station for further investigation. Meanwhile Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni expressed his sadness at this incident and sent his heartfelt condolences to the affected families. 'We give our members these tools to protect themselves against criminals, so it is very disheartening to see the very same tools being used to kill their loved ones. I urge our members to make use of employee health and wellness facilities to assist them to deal with any problems they may be facing, whether work or personal, EHW is always there', Mthombeni said. Recently, the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) called on the SAPS to strengthen its mental health and wellness support programmes for officers, following a tragic incident involving one of its own. A female police constable, Ntombethemba Mgidi, appeared in the Port Shepstone Magistrate's Court on Monday, 22 July, after being arrested in connection with the fatal shootings of two fellow officers in the Mbayimbayi area near Murchison on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast last week. Both victims later died from their injuries at Murchison Hospital. 'This act of violence highlights the urgent need for SAPS to intensify internal wellness and psychological support programmes that help members manage relational and emotional pressures,' said POPCRU spokesperson Richard Mamabolo. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Police captain kills girlfriend and her brother in murder suicide
Three others were injured in the shooting on Saturday night. A police captain has killed his girlfriend and brother before turning the gun on himself in a double murder suicide in Protea. Three others were injured in the shooting on Saturday night. Murder suicide Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said a police captain's girlfriend, who was also a Saps officer, was shot at their home. 'It is alleged that the group was at home celebrating the birthday of the captain's girlfriend, who is also a police officer. 'The captain reportedly called the girlfriend to the side, and that is when people saw him draw a firearm, and shoot her and her brother dead while three other civilians sustained injuries. He then turned the gun on himself,' Nevhuhulwi said. ALSO READ: Interpol arrests Chinese fugitive in South Africa Tragic Nevhuhulwi said two counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and an inquest docket were opened at Protea police station for further investigation. The provincial commissioner of the police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni said he is saddened by incident and sent his heartfelt condolences to the affected families. 'We give our members these tools to protect themselves against criminals, so it is very disheartening to see the very same tools being used to kill their loved ones. 'I urge our members to make use of Employee Health and Wellness facilities to assist them to deal with any problems they may be facing, whether work or personal, EHW is always there', said Mthombeni. CIT suspects killed Meanwhile, five cash-in-transit (CIT) suspects were shot dead during a confrontation with police in Johannesburg. The gun battle between the suspects and the man in blue occurred in Crown Mines on Thursday afternoon. Shootout Nevhuhulwi said officers operationalised intelligence information on suspects planning to commit a cash-in-transit robbery in Johannesburg. 'Their vehicle was spotted on the M1/M2 highway split, and they sped off when they noticed the police. As a chase ensued, the suspects started shooting at the police, who retaliated. The suspect's vehicle crashed into a palisade fence. 'All five occupants were fatally shot. Preliminary investigation reveals that the same vehicle was involved in a murder and cash-in-transit robbery that occurred on 14 July 2025 at Kingsley in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).' Nevhuhulwi said Mthombeni commended the joint forces for their coordinated and swift response. NOW READ: Counterfeit Breitling watches, fake Springboks' and Sundowns' gear: police crackdown
The Citizen
25-07-2025
- The Citizen
Gauteng Police foil CIT heist, five suspects killed in shootout
The gun battle between the suspects and the man in blue occurred in Crown Mines. Police intelligence foiled a cash-in-transit heist in Johannesburg leading to a high-speed chase and shootout resulting in the death of five suspects. Picture: Saps Five cash-in-transit (CIT) suspects have been shot dead during a confrontation with police in Johannesburg. The gun battle between the suspects and the man in blue occurred in Crown Mines on Thursday afternoon. Shootout Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said officers operationalised intelligence information on suspects planning to commit a cash-in-transit robbery in Johannesburg. 'Their vehicle was spotted on the M1/M2 highway split, and they sped off when they noticed the police. As a chase ensued, the suspects started shooting at the police, who retaliated. The suspect's vehicle crashed into a palisade fence. 'All five occupants were fatally shot. Preliminary investigation reveals that the same vehicle was involved in a murder and cash-in-transit robbery that occurred on 14 July 2025 at Kingsley in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). ALSO READ: Interpol arrests Chinese fugitive in South Africa Swift response Nevhuhulwi said the Provincial Commissioner of Gauteng, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, commended the joint forces for their coordinated and swift response. The operation involved multiple units including the National Counter Intelligence, tactical response team from Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks), Gauteng Traffic and private security companies for a swift reaction. 'This collaborative efforts are yielding success and should send a strong message to criminals that police will not repose and will continue to deal decisively with criminal issues', said Mthombeni'. Picture: Saps Police have urged the public to work together with the police to fight crime by reporting any criminal activities to the Crime Stop Hotline at 08600 10111 or anonymously give tip-offs on MySapsApp. KZN shootout Earlier this month, KZN police foiled a CIT heist, killing two suspects in the shootout. The suspects were shot dead during a multi-disciplinary intelligence-led operation in the Sinyameni area under the Msinga policing precinct. Police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said two other men in their forties were arrested for being in illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, as well as attempted murder, following the foiled CIT robbery. ALSO READ: Police say reports of R18m found in KZN house is fake news
