A quiet village in Limpopo has been the scene of a double tragedy after a man was allegedly shot and killed by a police officer, with his aunt collapsing and dying at the scene after hearing the news. The 68-year-old woman collapsed moments after arriving at the site of the shooting, where her 48-year-old nephew lay wounded.
According to Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the incident took place at Botsalanong village. The deceased man was allegedly shot by a police officer from the Witpoort SAPS, with whom he was reportedly having a heated argument. While the exact reason for the altercation is still under investigation, details have emerged about what led up to the tragic events.
Ledwaba stated that the man had reportedly gone to the officer's house looking for him. Unable to find him there, he left. However, the officer returned home shortly after, having been called by his wife who informed him that someone was looking for him. This is when the confrontation is believed to have taken place, leading to the shooting.
Following the shocking incident, the man was rushed to the hospital. However, he tragically succumbed to his injuries upon arrival. His aunt, upon learning of the incident, went to the scene. According to Ledwaba, she collapsed upon arrival. Emergency medical services were called to the scene, but she was unfortunately declared dead.
The police officer, a sergeant at the Witpoort SAPS, handed himself over to the police after the shooting. The Independent Police Investigations Directorate (Ipid) has now taken over the case and is investigating the incident. A murder case has been opened for the man's death, while an inquest has been opened into the death of his aunt. Ledwaba confirmed that the police are investigating what prompted the altercation between the police sergeant and the man. The community of Botsalanong is left to grapple with the shocking loss of two of its members in such a tragic and sudden manner.
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