An off-duty Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officer was tragically shot dead in Soweto on Saturday night following a dispute over her son’s alleged reckless driving.
The incident occurred when her 27-year-old son, driving a Toyota Land Cruiser, was flagged down by South African Police Service (SAPS) officers for reckless driving. Instead of stopping, he continued driving until they reached their Dobsonville home.
An argument erupted between the SAPS officers and the JMPD officer, Linda Mthimkhulu, as they attempted to arrest her son.
The disagreement escalated, leading Mthimkhulu, who had been an officer for 17 years, to retrieve her firearm from the house and open fire at the officers. In response, the SAPS officers fired back, fatally wounding Mthimkhulu.
The killing of the metro police officer is now under investigation by the Independent Police Investigating Directorate (IPID), as Mthimkhulu died as a result of police action.
Gauteng Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, confirmed the incident and stated that three individuals were arrested in connection with the altercation.
Mthimkhulu’s 75-year-old mother, her son, and a neighbour were taken into custody. The mother was arrested for common assault and interfering with police, while her son was arrested for reckless and negligent driving.
The neighbour was arrested for interfering with police while they were carrying out their duties, according to Masondo.
The IPID will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and whether any misconduct or wrongdoing occurred on the part of either the SAPS officers or Mthimkhulu.
On Sunday, during a press conference in Pretoria, Police Minister Bheki Cele sent a clear message to police officers, “Our message is clear, no police officer should die with a gun in their hand”.
Ipid spokesperson Phaladi Shuping confirmed they were investigating the incident after it was reported to them on Saturday night.
“It is alleged that the police tried to stop a vehicle that was driving recklessly, but the vehicle did not stop. It only stopped at a certain house in Dobsonville and the police approached the driver and wanted to arrest him.
“The mother of the driver, who is a member of JMPD, allegedly came out and had an argument with the police officers. She allegedly went into the house and came out with a firearm, shot at the police officers who shot back, and the JMPD officer was shot and killed,” said Shuping.
