An off-duty Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officer was arrested on 28 June 2026, following the fatal shooting of a colleague in Protea Glen, Soweto. The incident, which occurred at approximately 03:30 in Glenridge Extension 16, is alleged to have stemmed from a domestic dispute.
Investigation And Legal Proceedings
It is alleged that the suspect officer, while off-duty, requested a colleague to assist in removing her girlfriend from the location. According to reports, as the colleague and the girlfriend attempted to depart in a white Kia sedan, the suspect fired seven shots from her service pistol at the vehicle.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has assumed responsibility for the investigation due to the use of a service firearm in the commission of an alleged crime. A murder case has since been opened at the Protea Police Station, and the suspect remains in custody following her arrest at the scene.
Departmental Response And Impact
The JMPD leadership has expressed formal condolences while pledging total transparency as the legal process unfolds. Speaking on behalf of the department, JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla addressed the gravity of the situation.
The JMPD is deeply saddened by this senseless loss of life within our ranks. We are fully cooperating with SAPS and IPID investigators to ensure justice is served.
Superintendent Fihla added that the identity of the deceased officer is currently being withheld out of respect for the family and to allow for the completion of formal notifications. Authorities have confirmed that the investigation will continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the domestic dispute and the subsequent discharge of the official service weapon.
The matter will appear before the courts in due course as the IPID concludes its preliminary findings.