The family of a police officer who shot and killed herself with her own service pistol are dismayed.
Constable Baphumelele Tracy Sibiya, 34, of Adams Mission near eManzimtoti, had been visiting her four-year-old daughter, Sethu, at Netcare Kingsway Hospital at the time of the shooting early on Thursday.
Her husband, Sibusiso Sibiya, 39, said she had taken leave from the eFolweni detective branch, to look after their daughter who had been admitted to the hospital on August 5. Sethu had severe burns after she accidentally spilled hot porridge on to her face and arms.
Sibiya said he had been carrying a pot of porridge to feed his seven dogs when their daughter was injured. He said he was not aware that she had followed him to the kennels.
“I was not aware that she was behind me. I blame myself for not being cautious. But it is too late now, the damage is done,’’ he said of the accident which happened a week ago.
But worse was to follow. He got a call on Thursday morning from a nurse who told him his wife was dead. She had shot herself in a bathroom not far from the ward where Sethu was being treated.
What he found when he went to the hospital left him traumatised and in grief.
“I could not believe my eyes when I saw her wound. It was a bullet wound to her temple.”
His younger brother, Siboniso, said the family could not understand why Sibiya would have taken her own life.
“She was a strong woman who was always there to offer help and advise her friends and neighbours, and was loved by everyone.
“She was upset that her husband was blaming himself for injuring their child, but she knew it was not his fault,” he said.
“Her killing herself has left us confused. She was very emotional over her daughter’s situation, but sadly she took her own life without knowing that Sethu would be discharged the next day.”
Sethu came home on Friday with bandages covering her arms and face, yet played cheerfully with children of relatives who had come to pay their respects. They still have the horrible job of telling Sethu that she will never see her mother again.
The general manager of Netcare Kingsway Hospital Annatjie Demetriou, confirmed the incident happened at 5am and that the woman was a visitor.
“Most patients and visitors to the hospital were not exposed to the tragedy. The hospital is co-operating with the police in the investigation. We are not in a position to disclose any further information,” said Demetriou.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesman, Major Thulani Zwane, said an inquest had begun at eManzimtoti police station.
Sibiya is survived by Sibusiso and their four children.
Sunday Tribune