SAPS Officer Fatally Run Down by BMW at Mall, Man Faces Murder Probe

SAPS Officer Fatally Run Down by BMW at Mall, Man Faces Murder Probe

  • A SAPS officer attached to Provincial Crime Intelligence died after being struck by a BMW SUV at Lichtenburg Mall on 19 October 2026
  • Suspect Akilesh Gupta, 23, appeared in the Lichtenburg Magistrates' Court on Wednesday and was remanded in custody on a murder charge
  • North West Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams urged the public not to share CCTV footage of the incident
SAPS warrant
SAPS Warrant Officer Ennice Nortman, 53, was allegedly struck by the BMW. Images: USA Military
Source: Facebook

NORTH WEST — A 23-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder following the death of a South African Police Service officer who was struck by a BMW SUV outside a shopping centre in Lichtenburg.

Warrant Officer Ennice Nortman, 53, was on duty on the afternoon of Monday, 19 October 2026, when she was allegedly hit by the vehicle as she crossed the driveway at Lichtenburg Mall along Dr Nelson Mandela Drive. Nortman, who served with Provincial Crime Intelligence in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District, was transported to hospital but died from her injuries later that evening.

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Suspect appears in court

The accused, Akilesh Gupta, appeared before the Lichtenburg Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 21 October, and was remanded in custody pending further investigations. His next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, 27 October 2026.

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Investigators are also examining whether Gupta contravened immigration legislation, although SAPS has not disclosed the specific nature of the alleged violation or confirmed his immigration status.

See X post about the accident here:

Commissioner calls for public restraint

North West Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams offered his condolences to Nortman's family, friends and colleagues, describing the officer's death as deeply saddening.

Adams also directed a specific appeal at members of the public, warning them against circulating CCTV footage or other video material connected to the incident. He cautioned that sharing such recordings could undermine the integrity of the ongoing investigation and called on anyone in possession of relevant material to hand it over directly to the investigating officers.

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The case remains before the courts as the murder investigation proceeds.

Car guard fatally injured in hit and run

Previously, Briefly News reported that a beloved car guard known to many in the Ballito community has been laid to rest after a tragic road accident. Mozambik Restaurant Ballito, a KwaZulu-Natal eatery, shared the heartbreaking news on their Facebook page on 26 April 2026. It's unclear exactly when the accident happened, and there's been no update on whether the driver responsible has been identified or faced any charges.

Source: Briefly News

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Mbalenhle Butale (Current Affairs writer) Mbalenhle Butale is a current affairs reportet at Briefly News (joined in 2025). She has over five years newsroom experience. Butale worked at Caxton News as a local reporter as well as reporting on science and technology focused news under SAASTA. With a strong background in research, interviewing and storytelling, she produces accurate, balanced and engaging content across print, digital and social platforms. Email: mbalenhle.butale@briefly.co.za