Cop sends SMS, kills wife, self
2007-01-06 22:12
Johannesburg - A police sergeant shot himself and his wife after sending a cellphone message with the word "dead" to his brother, said Free State police on Saturday.
Superintendent Motarafi Ntepe said Slyvia Mphuthi, 35, died on Saturday after she was shot on Thursday by her husband sergeant Mpho Mphuthi, 37, in Manyatseng near Ladybrand.
Ntepe said Mphuthi had gone to the bedroom at around 22:00 where his wife was sleeping and shot her twice in the chest.
"She escaped and jumped out of the sitting room window and called for help."
Police found the policeman dead on the scene with two bullets wounds, one to the chest and one to the head.
Cop had few beers
The wife was rushed to Pelonomi Trauma Unit in Bloemfontein and died on Saturday.
"According to police who attended the scene, the cop had few beers as there were a half consumed beer bottle in the dining room," said Ntepe.
Four used cartridges were picked up on the scene.
Ntepe said the cause of the shootings was unknown, but that the policeman had sent a SMS with the word "Dead" to his brother in Vereeniging at around 21:00.
An un-sent message on his phone read "C u in heaven".
Mphuthi was a sergeant in the Ladybrand community service centre.
An inquest and murder case is being investigated.
- SAPA