Mpumalanga Shooting Leaves 2 People Dead and a Police Constable Injured in KwaMhlanga, SA Concerned

• A shooting in KwaMhlanga, in the Nkangala district of Mpumalanga, left two people dead and another person injured
• Police have launched an investigation into the shooting, which left one constable, while another was taken to the hospital
• South Africans weighed in on the fatal shooting, expressing concern that police officers were the victims

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

MPUMALANGA – A high-level investigation is underway into a fatal shooting which left two people dead and another injured in KwaMhlanga, in the Nkangala District Municipality, Mpumalanga.

The shooting, which happened in the early hours of the morning on Thursday, 4 September 2025, left a male police constable dead and a female police constable injured. The constables were believed to have been in a romantic relationship.

Independent Police Investigative Directorate is investigating shooting

According to Provincial Police Spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

He explained that the incident happened at approximately 2:30 am on Thursday, and when police arrived, they found the body of a 69-year-old woman with gunshot wounds. The woman was the mother of the female constable. They also found the body of the male constable, who also succumbed to gunshot wounds.

The female constable was rushed to the hospital for further treatment after she was reportedly shot as well.

“Two firearms, believed to be those of the State, as well as some cartridges, were collected at the crime scene," said Mdhluli.

Police added that while the motive for the shooting was unknown at this stage, they could not rule out that it was related to domestic violence.

How did South Africans react?

Social media users weighed in on the shooting, expressing concern about the violent crimes that continue to plague the country.

Lebogang Koloko said:

“South Africa is the only African country where you find the kind of crimes that you would find in America. Imagine shooting your mother-in-law or the mother of your girlfriend.”

Gladys Malesa stated:

“Eish, SA is a hell of a country. Cry, our beloved country😥.”

Carl Taylor added:

“A mafia failed state”

Anthony Zaba asked:

“High level? Haibo. Serious?”

Chappa De Silver said:

“We've also got to be honest about the corruption in the police department. Chances are, the colleagues did this. I know a person in my kasi that got targeted by other cops because she knew about their corrupt ways and refused to take the money they were sharing.”

Shenaaz Hussain asked:

“Oh my gosh, what is going on?”

@StHonorable:

"Criminals are ruling the streets, while the cops are busy with failed mjolo and eliminating each other."

@bhekosok asked:

"Mr Bean, where are you?😡Our police are under attack. Only Mkhwanazi can protect us now."

Other articles about police officers being shot

Briefly News reported that there have been numerous instances where police officers were the victims.

• In January 2025, a policewoman was shot and killed in broad daylight in Randlespark, Klerksdorp.
• A police officer was shot dead in April 2025 while responding to a robbery in Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal.
• An officer died in May 2025 after she was shot, allegedly by her husband, who tried to take his own life.

Western Cape taxi conflict escalates, former association secretary shot multiple times in his car

Meanwhile, fears that violence between rival taxi associations in the Cape could escalate have been renewed following the murder of one man in Lwandle. The man, a member of the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA), was shot dead in Lwandle, near Strand, on 4 September 2025. The man was shot multiple times while in his car.

Speaking about the murder, CATA spokesperson Nkululeko Sityebi said that he was a well-respected member of the association.

"The member who has passed on is a legitimate member of CATA, a former secretary of CATA Lwandle," he said. He described the death as a big loss for the association.

Despite ongoing peace talks between CATA and CODETA, rival taxi associations failed to reach a consensus.

Source: Briefly News