Potchefstroom – A police officer, accused of murdering a man in an apparent lover’s triangle in Coligny, shot and killed himself in the local police station, North West police said on Wednesday.
Constable Jeremia Qangasi, 35, shot and killed himself in the Coligny police station, said police spokesman Paul Ramaloko.
“The constable was accused of killing a 26-year-old teacher on 29 November 2015 at Tlhabologang township in Coligny after he allegedly found him in bed with his girlfriend at the teacher’s house at the township. The teacher was rushed to the hospital, but died on arrival,” Ramaloko said.
“According to the information received, after the incident the police officer took the girlfriend to his place and raped her.”
Shortly after appearing in the Coligny Magistrate’s court on the murder charge on Wednesday, officers escorted him to the police station to be charged with rape.
“It is alleged that after he was charged for rape, he grabbed one of the police officers’ firearm and shot himself on his head inside the Community Service Centre,” said Ramaloko.
“He died on the scene and investigations are continuing.”
Acting North West provincial police commissioner Jacob Tsumane condemnded the incident and said a full investigation into the circumstances surround the shooting would be conducted.
“I had hoped that justice will be served in the case involving the constable, unfortunately the case has taken another turn and that the suspect is no more,” Tsumane said.
“I am saddened that this tragedy happened in a police station. I will ensure that members who were on duty are attended to accordingly. An internal investigation will be instituted to determine circumstances that led to the incident.”
African News Agency
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