A tragic case of domestic violence and murder‑suicide claimed the lives of two police officers on Sunday night, 8 December 2025, at Ritavi Police Station.
According to authorities, Sergeant Ngoveni Matimba Gift (40) from the Mopani District visited the home of Constable Machete Tlhonologatso (31). After an argument, colleagues escorted her to the station for protection.
Later, Sergeant Gift returned to the station, confronted Constable Tlhonologatso inside the community service centre, fatally shot her, and then turned the gun on himself. Both were declared dead at the scene.
The killings occurred during the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, highlighting the ongoing threat of domestic violence even within the police force.
Provincial Police Commissioner Thembi Hadebe described the incident as “deeply shocking and saddening.”+See more details
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is investigating, with a murder case and inquest underway.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
