Man shot dead after attacking, disarming police officer responding to domestic complaint in Limpopo

A 46-year old Limpopo man armed with a slasher blade and hammer, and who seriously injured one of police officers responding to a domestic complaint was in turn shot dead.

According to provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Hulani Mashaba, officers were late night on Tuesday dispatched to Ga-Nchechane village following a domestic complaint.

“Upon arrival, the officers encountered a volatile situation wherein the 46-year old hostile man was armed with a slasher blade and hammer. In the course of attempting to defuse the situation, the suspect attacked the responding officers, resulting in one officer sustaining multiple injuries.

“The suspect continued to assault the officer who was lying on the ground and disarmed him. Despite the inherent danger, one of the officers swiftly acted to neutralize the threat posed by the armed suspect, ultimately resulting in the suspect being fatally shot,” Mashaba said.

He said the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) was informed and the probe was underway. The seriously injured officer is currently under medical treatment. 

Provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe, has urged community members to refrain from violent behaviour when confronted with domestic related challenges.

In Mokwakwaila, Limpopo, police cornered a 38-year old man who has been on the run since February this year after he kidnapped and stabbed his girlfriend.

The man will face charges of kidnapping and attempted murder.