Cop kills his lover then himself during argument over debt
|Published
‘NICE PEOPLE’: Sithembele Ntsebezo, 36, and Nomakhwezi Xawuka ‘NICE PEOPLE’: Sithembele Ntsebezo, 36, and Nomakhwezi Xawuka
A cop shot and killed his girlfriend and then turned the gun on himself, apparently during an argument over money he had taken from her to pay his debt.
The tragedy unfolded in the early hours of Sunday in Simon Street, Lwandle, near Strand.
It is alleged the 36-year-old constable, who was stationed at Macassar SAPS, shot and killed his girlfriend Nomakhwezi Xawuka, 30, before committing suicide.
It is alleged that Sithembele Ntsebezo was in debt and took R20 000 of Nomakhwezi’s money without her knowledge.
And when she asked him about it, he became angry and killed her.
The couple had been dating for over two years and Nomakhwezi leaves behind a 12-year-old daughter.
‘NICE PEOPLE’: Sithembele Ntsebezo, 36, and Nomakhwezi Xawuka
Nomakhwezi’s mother, Weziwe, says she found her daughter lying in a pool of blood.
“I thought if I touched her she would wake up,” said the distraught mom.
She says someone knocked on her door at about 4am on Sunday morning to say her daughter had been wounded.
“I was told she had an accident and I thought maybe she was going to be fine.”
But upon arriving at the scene, she was met by the sight of two bodies lying next to each other.
“He shot her in the head, I called out her name and my daughter was not moving.
“The picture of her lifeless body still plays on my mind. I cannot believe my sweet child died like that,” the mother cries.
IN SHOCK: Mother Weziwe Xawuka
Nomakhwezi’s 12-year-old child was playing outside with friends when the Daily Voice arrived at their house.
The girl was called to fetch pictures of her late mom.
Sister Kholeka claims the cop was a big spender and had taken Nomakhwezi’s money to pay off his debt.
“He took R20 000 which she got from the stokvel, and my sister was questioning him about what he used it for,” she says.
“Last year, he took R15 000 and never returned it. My sister used to complain about the way he uses money.”
KILLED: Mom of one Nomakhwezi Xawuka, 30, was shot in Lwandle. Picture: Velani Ludidi
Weziwe, who struggles to walk and suffers from chronic illnesses, says her daughter was their breadwinner.
“She was busy extending the house. She bought many things for us,” she says.
“We are left with cement now and we do not know how we will bury her. (Police minister) Bheki Cele must assist us in giving my child a dignified send-off.”
Neighbours say the murder-suicide has left the community in shock as the couple were nice people and churchgoers.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana confirms cases of murder and an inquest were opened for investigation.
