Two South African Police Service (SAPS) warrant officers were found dead at their home on Tuesday.
Image: IOL
A LIMPOPO police couple was found dead in their home, with the wife fatally stabbed and lying in a pool of blood and the husband hanged from the roof, prompting a murder-suicide investigation.
Limpopo police spokesperson Malesela Ledwaba said officers from Thohoyandou, under the Vhembe District, were alerted to the incident at about 1.09pm and rushed to the scene.
“Upon arrival, they found a 45-year-old female victim lying in a pool of blood with multiple stab wounds inside the house,” Ledwaba said.
During further inspection, police discovered her husband hanged from the roof of the house.
Ledwaba said the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel were summoned and certified both victims dead at the scene.
The couple were both warrant officers attached to the Thohoyandou Local Criminal Record Centre.
Limpopo provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, condemned the incident.
“The untimely death of the two members is a serious loss and a devastating blow to our organisation as well as the community at large,” Hadebe said.
She urged police officers to seek assistance from internal support structures, including Employee Health and Wellness services.
“We once more call our members to seek assistance from our relevant structures like Employee Health and Welfare to avoid this unnecessary loss of life. My condolences to the families and relatives of the departed members.'
Ledwaba said police have opened a murder and inquest docket.
He said the motive remained unknown, although domestic violence had not been ruled out.
“Police investigations are continuing,” he said.