Three police constables were killed following a shooting incident in Kariega in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
According to the South African Police Service, officers responded to reports of gunfire at a residence in Rudman Street at around 00:45.
Upon arrival, police found three constables with multiple gunshot wounds. Two officers were declared dead at the scene, while a third later died in hospital after being rushed to Cuyler Hospital.
Preliminary investigations suggest the shooting may have stemmed from a domestic dispute. Police believe a male constable — reportedly the former boyfriend of a female constable — allegedly forced his way into the residence where the female officer and another male constable were present.
Witnesses reportedly heard gunshots shortly afterwards, leaving all three officers fatally wounded.
A state-issued firearm and 10 live rounds of ammunition were recovered at the scene. Ballistic testing will now form part of the investigation as authorities work to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Due to the involvement of police officers, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate has launched a parallel investigation in line with the IPID Act, while SAPS has also opened an internal disciplinary investigation.
The identities of the deceased officers have not yet been released pending notification of their families.
