A 28 year old reservist constable stationed at South African Police Service (SAPS) Odendaalsrus was arrested by the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) on 2 Octobers 2010. The suspect is facing a charge of attempted murder following the shooting of a 23 year old female, Martha Frans.
It appears that the reservist constable and the victim were involved in a romantic relationship. The couple apparently had a heated argument that resulted in the policeman chasing his girlfriend with his service pistol. It is suspected that the victim wanted to end their relationship. The victim ran into the house and locked herself inside a room. The suspect followed her into the house where he allegedly fired two shots through the door. No one was hurt during the shooting.
The victim opened the door and the suspect fired a shot that hit her upper body. The victim managed to escape and hide at a neighbour’s house. Thereafter, the suspect threatened to commit suicide using his service pistol. The police were called to the scene and they managed to convince the suspect to surrender himself after more than three hours of negotiations. The victim was taken from her hide-out spot and taken to hospital to receive medical attention.
The suspect was arrested by the ICD and detained at Welkom SAPS. He will appear before the Odendaalsrus Magistrates Court on 5 October 2010. The ICD will oppose bail.
Enquiries:
Moses Dlamini
Cell: 082 809 1927
Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) arrest SAPS reservist constable for attempted murder: Odendaalsrus CAS 21/10/2010
