Limpopo police sergeant found dead following murder of wife in South Africa

A police sergeant in South Africa has been found dead hours after allegedly shooting and killing his wife in Limpopo province, police said. The 39-year-old sergeant, stationed at Witpoort, allegedly shot his 35-year-old wife at Abbotspoort in Martinique village on Wednesday, 21 October 2026. Emergency Medical Services personnel declared the victim dead at the scene.

The suspect fled in a white Isuzu bakkie, prompting a murder investigation and manhunt by Villa Nora police under the Waterberg District. On Thursday, 22 October 2026, at about 06:30, information was received that the vehicle had been spotted parked along a road at Botshabelo Section under the Tom Burke policing area.

Police found the bakkie about 100 metres from the sergeant's lifeless body, which had a gunshot wound to the head and was located under a Morula tree. His state-issued firearm was found next to him, and an inquest case was opened at Tom Burke SAPS.

The motive is unknown, though domestic violence cannot be ruled out. Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers condemned the incident, and investigations are continuing.