Man suspected of ex’s murder killed in shootout with Free State cops
Circumstances surrounding the suspect's death will be investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.
A 40-year-old man suspected of fatally shooting his 36-year-old ex-girlfriend was killed in a shootout with police in Tweeling, Free State on Wednesday. The woman was allegedly shot in the head after a hitchhiking encounter with the suspect. Police spokesperson Brigadier Thandi Mbambo confirmed the woman worked in Reitz and headed towards a hitchhiking spot in Tweeling around 5:45 pm.
She got into a white vehicle and was surprised to find her ex-boyfriend inside, who allegedly planned to attack her. The suspect exited the vehicle, shot the victim, and fled the scene. Two police vehicles, one from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit and another from Tweeling Visible Policing, pursued the suspect.
The suspect was stopped hitchhiking and opened fire on the uniformed officers, resulting in his fatal injury. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate will investigate the circumstances surrounding the suspect's death. Provincial Commissioner of the Free State, Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia, condemned the brutal killing and commended members of the public for promptly informing the police.
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