A murder charge has been brought against a police sergeant from the detective services in Bushbuckridge.
He is accused of shooting the mother of his child multiple times at her workplace on Tuesday night.
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The incident occurred around 10:55 PM at a petrol station in Bushbuckridge, according to the police.
The victim, a 36-year-old cashier, was behind the counter in the kiosk when the father of her three-year-old daughter, who is also a police officer, entered.
The police spokesperson, Brig Selvy Mohlala, stated that the man was allowed to enter by the security guard because he was known to frequently visit the woman.
An argument allegedly broke out after he entered, during which the police officer reportedly drew his service pistol and shot the woman multiple times.
The security guard was able to lock the suspect inside the kiosk, and then he and other employees fled for their safety.
Upon a swift response from the police in Bushbuckridge, the officer was found inside the kiosk, disarmed, and subsequently arrested on charges of murder.
His service firearm was seized for further investigation. Despite the arrival of paramedics, the woman was declared deceased.
Brig Mohlala mentioned that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate will conduct an investigation into the incident.
While the motive remains unknown, the possibility of domestic violence cannot be ruled out.
The provincial commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lt-Gen Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, expressed condemnation for the incident.
She urged both SAPS members and the public to seek professional assistance from employee health and welfare services or other relevant organizations rather than resorting to violence.
Lt-Gen Manamela emphasized the distress caused by domestic violence, particularly when innocent children are left without support.
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She also noted the concern that the suspect is a police officer, who should be committed to protection.
The suspect is scheduled to appear at the Bushbuckridge magistrate court on Thursday to face charges of murder.