Limpopo police sergeant, Vele Nditsheni, 44, has appeared in absentia before the Masisi Periodical Court facing charges of murder.
Nditsheni allegedly murdered his wife and domestic worker at their homestead in Masisi, Vhembe district.
The double murder incident happened on October 29, according to Limpopo provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba.
Nditsheni was also charged with the attempted murder of a fellow police officer, after gunfire was exchanged during his dramatic arrest last week.
“He was remanded in custody and will appear again at Masisi Periodical Court on the December 10 for further police investigations,” said Mashaba.
Nditsheni was on the run until he was arrested after a shoot-out with fellow police officers on Thursday last week.
“He was located in the Makuya policing area after a well coordinated operation by Vhembe SAPS district task team members. He was spotted driving at high speed along Tshitavha Road next to Sambandou bridge,” said Mashaba.
When the police officers attempted to stop Nditsheni’s vehicle, he started firing multiple shots, prompting the police officers to retaliate.
Nditsheni was wounded during the gunfight, and another police officer sustained minor injuries.
Police recovered Nditsheni’s service pistol, loaded with ammunition.
“Both the suspect (Nditsheni) and the injured officer were transported to a local hospital for medical treatment,” said Mashaba.
He said the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) has been notified for further handling of the case following the shooting ordeal.
IOL