Rosebank police station commander Lt-Col Thandi Mkhize, who was shot by a police clerk, was still in a serious condition in hospital on Tuesday evening, Gauteng police said.
Mkhize was airlifted to the Milpark hospital after the shooting on Monday afternoon, Lt-Col Tshisikhawe Ndou said.
The clerk, David Kekana, entered the Rosebank police station in Johannesburg at 3.45pm on Monday, went into Mkhize's office and shot her and Captain Neelavathi Naidu.
Naidu and Kekana, who turned the gun on himself, both died on the scene.
Ndou said everyone who worked at the Rosebank police station had been receiving counselling since Monday evening.
Social workers, chaplains and psychologists were on hand to help.
“It is very sad and tragic and a difficult situation,” Ndou said.
“You can't be at peace when something like this happens. You will always be shocked when one of your own turns on you in the organisation. It's very painful.”
Police were investigating where Kekana obtained the gun as he was not a licensed firearm owner. Cases of murder, attempted murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm were under investigation.
Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa on Monday could not say if the man had been on duty or suspended. Kekana was found guilty of mishandling firearms at a disciplinary hearing last week.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Tuesday sent its condolences to Naidu's family, colleagues and friends.
“Our police officers put themselves on the line to keep us safe, very often in difficult circumstances, with not enough remuneration and not enough equipment,” DA spokeswoman Kate Lorimer said in a statement.
“It is tragic that such an incident could occur in what should be a safe environment.”
The DA also wished Mkhize a speedy recovery. - Sapa