Off-Duty police officer involved in fatal shooting during alleged knife attack in Limpopo

An off-duty South African Police Service (SAPS) officer is under investigation following a fatal shooting during an alleged confrontation at Mhangweni Village outside Tzaneen in Limpopo.

In a statement police said the incident occurred at about 2:30am on Saturday, 11 July 2026. The officer, who is stationed at SAPS Ritavi, was with a female companion when they were allegedly approached by three men.

Police said one of the men, a 42-year-old suspect, allegedly threatened the pair with a knife. During the confrontation, the officer reportedly drew his service firearm and fatally shot the man.

The two remaining suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.

Emergency medical personnel and members of the Local Criminal Record Centre attended the scene to process evidence. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has also been notified and has launched an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Police have opened cases of murder and common assault as part of the investigation, while efforts to locate the two outstanding suspects continue.

Acting Limpopo Provincial Police Commissioner Major General Jan Scheepers has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. He also appealed to members of the public with information that could assist investigators or lead to the arrest of the two men who fled the scene to contact the police.

The investigation remains ongoing.