Investigation launched after tragic deaths of Oudtshoorn traffic officers

Police in Oudtshoorn have opened a murder and an inquest docket following the deaths of two provincial traffic officers who were found with gunshot wounds at their home in Jones Street on Monday afternoon.

According to SAPS spokesperson Christopher Spies, officers responded to reports of a shooting at the residence at about 3:45pm on Monday, December 29, 2025. On arrival, police found a 38-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman with gunshot wounds in the bathroom.

Both were declared dead at the scene by paramedics. A pistol was seized at the residence.

“Oudtshoorn detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident,” Spies said.

The deceased were later identified as Jermaine Coetzee (38) and Caylin Coetzee (34), both traffic officers employed by the Western Cape Department of Mobility.

In response to the tragedy, Western Cape Minister of Mobility Isaac Mbulelo Sileku on Tuesday led a high-level departmental delegation to Oudtshoorn to support affected staff.

He was accompanied by Director-General Maxine Bezuidenhout, Acting Director Antoinette Fennie, Acting Regional Director William Groenewald, and Chief of Traffic Lunny Spogter. The delegation visited the department’s traffic offices in Oudtshoorn following the fatal shooting.

The Executive Mayor of the Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality, Councillor Johan Allers, conveyed his condolences to the families, colleagues and friends of the deceased.

“Our hearts go out to the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased. This is a tremendous loss that leaves deep scars, not only within the department, but also within the broader community,” Allers said.

Addressing staff, Minister Sileku acknowledged the emotional impact of the incident, saying many questions remained unanswered.

“I ask myself many questions, and honestly, I do not know all the answers. It is incredibly painful when people lose their lives,” he said.

He urged staff not to blame themselves and to allow space for mourning and mutual support.

“This is a time of mourning, but also a time to support one another and the families as everyone goes through this painful process,” Sileku said.

The department said professional trauma counselling and emotional support would be provided to staff in Oudtshoorn.

Police investigations are continuing.

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Cape Argus