IPID welcomes a sentence of 17 years direct imprisonment imposed on Sergeant Lindiwe Hlongwane (47) for murder of her husband, Rusell Hlongwane (44). The incident happened in Akasia on 28 January 2024.

On the day of the incident, the deceased arrived home at around 00:30, threw his wife’s clothes in the back of the bakkie, and ordered her to leave their matrimonial home.

They then drove out of the yard but came back after few minutes later.

The deceased allegedly took out the wife’s official firearm from her handbag and pointed it at her. She tried to grab the firearm from the husband, and a scuffle ensued.

During the scuffle, the firearm discharged four bullets, all of them hitting the husband.

The deceased sustained gunshots wound on the left hand, right side of the ribs, left side of the hip, and on the stomach.

The incident was reported to IPID for investigation and after the finalisation of the investigation the docket was referred to the prosecutors who recommended that Sergeant Hlongwane should be charged for murder.

She was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 17 years imprisonment.

Media enquiries:

Lizzy Suping 
060 525 2822 
lsuping@ipid.gov.za   

Phaladi Shuping
078 459 7772
pshuping@ipid.gov.za

Issued by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID)