SENIOR COP SHOOTS, KILLS BABY MAMA, MAN, HIMSELF

SIMUNYE – A maintenance case of a child ended in tragedy.

The Simunye Magistrates Court yesterday resembled an execution zone after two people were gunned down immediately after exiting the court house. Just 10 metres away from the court’s entrance, a senior police officer stationed under the Operational Support Services Unit (OSSU) at Simunye, is alleged to have drew his service pistol and gunned down the mother of his child, who was in the company of a male companion and later turned the gun on himself at his flat. The nature of the relationship between the ‘baby mama’ and the male companion could not be confirmed as others said it was her uncle while others claimed he was just a friend. He was also killed seconds after the ‘baby mama’ had been shot. It is believed they both died on the spot.

Parking

The duo was shot at the court’s parking lot just after exiting the courthouse. The officer suspected to have shot the duo, *Peter, holds the position of Inspector. He had been hauled to court by the mother of his child over maintenance. The ‘baby mama’, *Nompilo, is said to have gone to court to request more funds as maintenance for their minor. The age of the child could not be immediately ascertained. According to a source who witnessed the gruesome murder, Peter was allegedly irked that Nompilo demanded E2 500 during their discussions over the maintenance case. However, Magistrate Nxumalo ruled that Peter should pay a monthly maintenance fee of E2 000. The initial maintenance fee could not be confirmed. Unconfirmed reports were to the effect that Nompilo did not appreciate the fact that Peter was doing ‘more’ for his other child, believed to have a disability.

Allegations are that Peter did not take kindly to the verdict that he should pay more for maintenance because he viewed the whole thing as being spiteful. “After the court had made its pronouncement, the trio left the courtroom and were seen talking while exiting the courthouse. It is claimed that Nompilo said something about the verdict, which further irked the police officer. Peter then went straight to his vehicle, a sedan which was parked at the court’s parking lot, and drew his service pistol. By that time, Nompilo and her companion were about to board their car. However, before they could do that, Peter fired shots at Nompilo, which hit her in her upper body, something that sent shivers down the spine of her companion. While he (companion) was still shocked at  what had just happened, he was also shot in the process,” alleged the source. Thereafter, Peter left the scene and went straight to his flat, which is about 100 metres from the court and locked himself in there.

Onlookers, who comprised of other police officers and people who had come to court for other business, were left shocked. This reporter visited the scene of crime and was met by police officers inspecting and gathering evidence. At the time, the bodies had been put in a building close to the parking area where the incident happened while they waited for the arrival of a car from the Forensics Department.

Colleagues

“According to some of his colleagues, Peter called his friends after murdering the duo and informed them about what he had done. He is believed to have also called family members and related the matter. Thereafter, he shot himself in an attempt to commit suicide. Upon hearing the gunshots, other officers rushed to his flat and tried to break the door, however, they failed. After an hour, the OSSU unit came and broke down the door and took him to the Simunye Clinic, where it was found that he had lost a lot of blood and was transferred to the Good Shepherd Mission Hospital (GSMH) in an ambulance,” said the source.

The source further mentioned that doctors at the Good Shepherd advised that he must be taken to the Mbabane Government Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU). “While driving to Mbabane, the medical team noted that he was no longer breathing. At this point, they were at Malindza. They then took a decision to take him back to Good Shepherd Hospital where he was confirmed dead,” said the source.

Blood

What was also observed at the scene at the magistrates court was that the law enforcers made attempts to wash the blood stained tarmac. However, the officers asked this reporter not to take pictures. A fire where one of the victims was shot was lit to ensure that the blood stains were almost totally removed. Deputy Police Information and Communications Officer Inspector Nosipho Mnguni confirmed the matter. “There is a report of a police officer who shot two people at Simunye,” she said. National Commissioner of Police Willian Dlamini confirmed that the officer died while being transported to Mbabane.

On Tuesday, this publication reported about 30 members of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) who had been taken to court by the mothers of their children for maintenance.
Others were in arrears as they failed to pay even after the court had pronounced that they should contribute towards the welfare of their children. *Not real names as families could not be reached.

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