Police officer kills himself after being charged
with rape and murder
South Africa
Wednesday 2 December 2015 - 7:16pm
A police officer killed himself after he was charged with
murder and rape. Photo: South African Police Service/ Facebook
POTCHEFSTROOM - A police officer, accused
of murdering a man in an apparent lover’s triangle in Coligny, shot and killed
himself in the local police station, North West police said on Wednesday.
Constable Jeremia Qangasi, 35, shot and
killed himself in the Coligny police station, said police spokesman Paul
Ramaloko.
“The constable was accused of killing a
26-year-old teacher on 29 November 2015 at Tlhabologang township in Coligny
after he allegedly found him in bed with his girlfriend at the teacher’s house
at the township. The teacher was rushed to the hospital, but died on arrival,”
Ramaloko said.
“According to the information received,
after the incident the police officer took the girlfriend to his place and
raped her.”
Shortly after appearing in the Coligny
Magistrate’s court on the murder charge on Wednesday, officers escorted him to
the police station to be charged with rape.
“It is alleged that after he was charged
for rape, he grabbed one of the police officers’ firearm and shot himself on
his head inside the Community Service Centre,” said Ramaloko.
“He died on the scene and investigations
are continuing.”
Acting North West provincial police
commissioner Jacob Tsumane condemnded the incident and said a full
investigation into the circumstances surround the shooting would be conducted.
“I had hoped that justice will be served in
the case involving the constable, unfortunately the case has taken another turn
and that the suspect is no more,” Tsumane said.
“I am saddened that this tragedy happened
in a police station. I will ensure that members who were on duty are attended
to accordingly. An internal investigation will be instituted to determine
circumstances that led to the incident.”
