Widow appears in court over police officer husband's murder

THE widow of a police officer who was shot dead has appeared briefly in the Aliwal North Magistrate’s Court on a charge of murder.

Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani confirmed that Mokheseng Nqxulelo (32) appeared in court on December 23, 2025, in connection with the death of her husband, a sergeant stationed at Protection and Security Services (PSS). She was remanded in transit to the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court.

Nqxulelo is expected to make her next court appearance on December 29, 2025.

According to Hani, the officer was shot and killed at his home in Harare. Nqxulelo was re-arrested in Jamestown in the Eastern Cape by members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team.

Hani said the Hawks’ investigation revealed that the incident followed an altercation between the couple in February 2023. Family members were present during the argument but later left after the dispute continued.

“The wife reported that the deceased fetched his official firearm. She stated that she thought he intended to shoot her, but he allegedly handed her the firearm and told her to fire a few rounds to release her anger,” said Hani.

According to Hawks information, the woman then fired shots into the wall of the lounge. During the incident, she realised her husband was lying on the floor.

“She then ran to a neighbour for assistance. The deceased was taken to hospital for treatment, where he was declared dead on arrival,” Hani said.

The matter was due to go on trial in June 2025 but was withdrawn after a key witness could not be traced. Hani said the case was later revisited in consultation with the Director of Public Prosecutions.

“A decision was taken to arrest and charge the accused again after a warrant of arrest was issued,” she said.