Soweto Councilor Calls on SAPS To Provide Officers With Counselling After Member Kills Girlfriend

• A ward councilor from Protea Glen demanded that the South African Police Service make counseling mandatory for its members
• This was after a police officer shot and killed his girlfriend and her brother before taking his own life
• Phelelani Sindane was concerned that incidents of police officers killing their partners were increasing alarmingly

Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, covered a range of criminal activities, including cash-in-transit heists, kidnappings, taxi violence, police investigations, police shootouts, and court cases at Daily Sun for over three years.

SOWETO, JOHANNESBURG — South Africans agreed with the call of a Soweto councillor who said that South African Police Service offices must get counseling. This was after a police officer shot and killed his girlfriend in the early hours of 27 July 2025.

According to SABC News, Ward 135 councilor Phelelani Sindani was concerned about the rate of police officers killing their partners. Sindani said that such atrocities create instability in communities.

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Johannesburg police officer kills girlfriend, her brother, and himself, South Africans horrified

He appealed to the police to reach out to their staff and address issues related to their mental health. Sindani said that these incidents rob the public of officers who serve their communities.

What happened in Soweto?

A police officer hosted a party to celebrate his girlfriend's birthday. In the early hours of the morning, eyewitnesses saw the officer call his girlfriend to him. He then pulled his firearm out and shot and killed her. He also killed her brother before turning the gun on himself.

Similar incidents involving police officers

A South African Police Service officer shot and killed his Gauteng Traffic Warden girlfriend in Eldorado Park on 26 December 2024. She was laid to rest in January and her boyfriend was arrested. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi vowed to fight gender-based violence in the province.

A North West police officer shot and killed two people and wounded two others before killing himself. The incident happened on 2 November 2024. A group of friends were having a party when the officer entered with a firearm and shot at people inside. His girlfriend and friend died before he turned the gun on himself.

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What did South Africans say?

Netizens commenting on Facebook shared their views.

Odwin Marhanela said:

"Police to police officer: whilst members of the public are lining to get their documents certified, police must stop this thing of dating each other on sites."

Francis Malotle said:

"The counselling sessions have to be an ongoing process."

Themba Letsoalo said:

"This is not about police officers' problems only. Most people who date at work don't end well."

Tebogo Leballo said:

"Black men need to learn to deal with their emotions."

Police officer arrested for allegedly killing relatives

In a relared srticle, Briefly News reported that a police officer from Limpopo was arrested for the death of six of her relatives. The officer, stationed at Senwabarwana Police Station, reportedly organised their deaths.

The police investigated her and found that the murders started 20 years ago. She cashed in on various insurance policies.

Source: Briefly News