The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) says it is investigating a case of murder after a police officer shot and killed his girlfriend in front of her 11-year-old son in Piketberg on Sunday, January 3.
According to IPID, the deceased was walking with her family members when the off duty policeman who was driving his private vehicle approached her. IPID spokesperson Grace Langa said the deceased was then seen standing on the driver’s side whilst holding the hands of the police official whilst he was still sitting in the vehicle.
Also read: WC police officer shoots his girlfriend in front of her son
According to News24, Smit made a brief appearance in court, but the case has been postponed to Friday, January 6. Rural and Farmworkers Development Organisation executive director, Billy Claasen, said the incident has left the community shook.
Local community members gathered at the court to protest against the accused. Claasen added that police officers in small rural towns, believed that they were “a law onto their own”, and the community is pushing for his bail to be denied.
Claasen said the pair’s relationship was problematic and when the deceased went to speak to Smit, she was holding his hand while they were talking. That was when the accused cocked his gun and fired multiple shots at her.
He handed himself over to the police later that day where he was then taken into custody. Booise would have turned 36 on Tuesday said IPID spokesperson Grace Langa.
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Picture: Cape {town} Etc gallery
