Khayelitsha widow faces murder charge in police officer's death

A 32-year-old woman accused of killing her police officer husband briefly appeared in court on Tuesday, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) confirmed.

The accused, Mokheseng-Nqxulelo, appeared in the Aliwal North Magistrate’s Court on December 23, 2025, before being remanded in custody and transferred to the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court, where she is expected to appear on December 29.

According to the Hawks, the deceased was a sergeant stationed at Protection and Security Services (PSS) and was shot and killed at his home in Harare, Khayelitsha.

Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani said: “Mokheseng-Nqxulelo (32) is alleged to be behind the murder of a Sergeant, who was stationed at Protection and Security Services (PSS), and briefly appeared in the Aliwal North Magistrate Court on December 23, and was remanded in transit to Khayelitsha Court on December 29 on a charge of murder.”

Hani said the accused is the widow of the deceased officer and was re-arrested in Jamestown in the Eastern Cape by members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team.

The Hawks said the incident dates back to February 2023, when the couple allegedly became involved in a domestic altercation at their home. Family members were reportedly present at one stage but later left after the argument continued.

According to information provided by the accused at the time, she claimed the deceased fetched his official firearm during the argument. She alleged that she believed he intended to shoot her, but instead handed her the firearm and told her to fire a few rounds to release her anger.

She allegedly fired shots into the wall of the lounge and then realised her husband was lying on the floor. She ran to a neighbour for assistance. The officer was taken to hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

The matter was initially set down for trial in June 2025 but was later withdrawn after a key witness could not be traced.

Hani said the case was later revisited with the Director of Public Prosecutions, after which a decision was taken to arrest and charge the accused again.

“The matter was again discussed with the DPP and a decision was made to arrest and charge the accused again after a warrant of arrest was issued, which led to her arrest,” Hani said.

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