Two married police officers were found dead at their Gqeberha home at the weekend while two minor children were inside.
Police spokeswoman Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said the couple, a 34-year-old woman and her 44-year-old husband, were both declared dead at the scene in Buddeny Street, Parsonsvlei, in the early hours of Saturday.
It is further alleged that the man shot his wife before turning the gun on himself in what is believed to have been a murder-suicide.
This is in line with the cases police have opened: a murder docket and an inquest docket, the latter typically opened when no third party is suspected in a death.
Janse van Rensburg said officers had responded to a complaint of a shooting at about 12.05am after a friend of the woman had rushed to the property and heard several gunshots.
“Upon arrival, members were met by a woman who reported that she had received a call from her friend, alleging that she was being assaulted by her husband,” Janse van Rensburg said.
“The woman immediately went to the residence and, after allegedly hearing several gunshots, contacted the police.”
Janse van Rensburg said police had entered the premises and found the bodies of the couple, both serving SAPS members, inside.
The two children who had been on the property at the time were safely removed from the scene and placed in the care of family members.
“The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. At this stage, no further details can be released as the investigation is in its early stages,” Janse van Rensburg said.
