Police in Tweeling have opened a murder case, following a domestic violence-related incident in which a 36-year-old woman was allegedly fatally shot by her 40-year-old former boyfriend on 18 August 2026. An inquest docket was also registered following the subsequent fatal shooting of the suspect during an exchange of gunfire with police.
According to the preliminary information, the victim had knocked off duty as usual at approximately 17:45 at her workplace in Reitz and proceeded towards a hiking spot in the direction of Tweeling. She reportedly boarded a white motor vehicle, unaware that her former boyfriend was already inside and had allegedly planned an attack against her.
When the vehicle reached 10th Street in Tweeling, the victim alighted. Shortly thereafter, the suspect also got out of the vehicle, allegedly grabbed her and shot her in the head at close range. The suspect then fled the scene in the direction of Reitz.
Members of the public immediately alerted the police and provided information regarding the suspect’s movements. Two police vehicles, one from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) and another from Tweeling Visible Policing, responded swiftly and pursued the suspect.
The suspect was subsequently spotted hitchhiking. Members of the FCS Unit, travelling in a Mahindra vehicle and dressed in civilian clothing, stopped alongside him. The suspect approached the vehicle, apparently believing that the occupants were offering him a lift. As he engaged with the members, the suspect noticed a second police vehicle, occupied by members dressed in police uniform, stopping behind the Mahindra.
He allegedly drew a firearm and opened fire on the uniformed members, apparently unaware that the occupants of the Mahindra were also police officials. The members in the Mahindra immediately responded to the attack, and the suspect was fatally wounded during the ensuing exchange of gunfire.
A murder case has been opened in connection with the fatal shooting of the 36-year-old woman. An inquest docket has also been registered regarding the death of the 40-year-old suspect. The circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death will be investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), as prescribed by law.
The Provincial Commissioner of the Free State, Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia, has condemned the brutal killing and expressed concern over the escalation of domestic violence-related incidents. He further commended the members of the public who immediately alerted the police and provided information that assisted our members in locating the suspect.
