A 38-year-old police officer has been arrested after he allegedly murdered his wife and attempted to kill her friend.
Constable Sandile Maduna allegedly stabbed his wife with a bottle, killing her on the spot. According to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) spokesperson Robbie Raburabu, the incident happened at a tavern in Barberton, Mpumalanga, where all three had attended a party.
Raburabu said it is alleged that an argument ensued between the couple and Maduna allegedly slapped his 28-year-old wife, Nonkululeko Mtshweni, in the face and she fell to the ground.
While still down, he allegedly hit her again in the face with a beer bottle that he had in his hand.
“It is further alleged that he then went to the car and retuned with a whiskey bottle and continued assaulting her with the said bottle until it broke and he stabbed her on the neck, rendering her motionless.”
He said Veronica Sithole, the deceased’s friend, attempted to intervene and she was also allegedly severely stabbed in the face and neck by the accused.
Sithole was airlifted to the Rob Ferreira Hospital in a critical condition, while the wife was declared dead at the scene.
On Tuesday, Maduna was arrested and appeared in court the following day.
The case has been remanded to October 11, for appointment of an attorney and a bail application.
The ministry of police commended the Ipid on the arrest.
Police Ministry spokesperson Lirandzu Themba said the Ipid should conduct its work without fear or favour, adding that if officers are found guilty, they should face the might of the law.
“The ministry [of police] is aware of the shocking incidents and it is on record that the SAPS has zero tolerance for violence, let alone this crime perpetrated by members of the service,” said Themba.
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