Cop's Wife Dies in Station Shooting

Originally published by SAPA (South African Press Association), January 28, 2002

DURBAN — A police sergeant has allegedly shot and killed his wife in the Durban central police station. She apparently had gone there to complain to his superiors about his alleged abusive behaviour.

Durban North police spokesperson Superintendent Vasi Naidu said the couple apparently had marital problems and the policeman's wife had a restraining order to stop her husband from abusing her.

The Umlazi school teacher went to the police station on Monday morning while he was at home, to talk to the station commander about his behaviour.

Naidu said the woman was interviewed by a superintendent at the station, who asked her husband to come in for an interview.

When the man arrived, he had an argument with his wife. He then allegedly shot her in the head with his service pistol.

In hospital under guard

The incident happened about 10:00 and the woman died at the police station.

Naidu said another policeman drew his firearm and shot the sergeant in his right arm and left thumb. The husband was taken to hospital under police guard and was due to appear in the Durban magistrate's court on Tuesday in connection with a murder charge.

The wife was a teacher at the Ntweleni School in Umlazi's G Section.