Crime
Pretoria police sergeant jailed 17 years for husband’s murder in Soshanguve
A quiet Soshanguve street became the centre of a tragedy that has now ended in a 17-year prison sentence.
The North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has sentenced police Sergeant Kate Lindiwe Hlongwane, 47, to direct imprisonment for the premeditated murder of her husband, Russel Hlongwane, 40. He was the father of their three children.
For many in Gauteng, the case has struck a nerve. Not only because it involves domestic violence, but also because the accused was herself a serving officer at Dube police station under the visible policing unit.
The night that changed everything
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the events unfolded on 27 January 2024.
Hlongwane travelled to Soshanguve Block JJ to consult a sangoma. Her husband became aware of the vehicle’s location through a tracker, which flagged the area as high risk. He drove there and found her at the consultation.
The couple returned home separately to their residence in Soshanguve Extension 7. Later that evening, an argument erupted over the visit. Court evidence revealed that Russel told his wife he would take her to his parents’ house so she could learn discipline.
They loaded her belongings into a vehicle and left together. A short while later, in the early hours of the morning, they returned home.
It was then that Hlongwane used her service pistol to shoot her husband several times outside their gate.
A domestic worker heard the vehicle return and the gunshots moments later. When she went outside to investigate, she encountered Hlongwane, who did not respond to her questions. The helper later found Russel lying on the ground near a neighbour’s home, bleeding heavily. A neighbour rushed him to Akasia Hospital, where he later died.
The defence that failed
Hlongwane was arrested the following day. The matter was referred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, which handles cases involving police officials.
In court, she pleaded not guilty. Her defence claimed that the firearm discharged accidentally during a struggle.
However, the State’s advocate presented ballistic evidence that told a different story. An expert trained in distance determination and wound analysis testified that the shots were fired from a distance. This directly contradicts the claim of an accidental discharge during close contact.
The court accepted the expert findings and convicted her of premeditated murder.
Sentencing and the question of remorse
During sentencing, her legal team asked for leniency. They cited her status as a first-time offender, a mother of three minor children, and the fact that she had been in custody since her arrest.
The State argued that the sentence needed to reflect the seriousness of the crime. Prosecutors pointed out that she showed no remorse and had not apologised to the deceased’s family, even after conviction. They also emphasised that she used her official service firearm, highlighting the breach of public trust.
Judge Papi Mosopa acknowledged that while the court deviated from the prescribed minimum sentence, the punishment had to serve both as retribution and as a warning. Conflicts, he said, must be resolved lawfully and respectfully, not through violence.
He sentenced her to 17 years’ direct imprisonment.
A case that resonates beyond Soshanguve
South Africa continues to grapple with high levels of domestic violence. When a police officer stands accused and is convicted, it raises deeper questions about accountability and the standards expected of those tasked with upholding the law.
On social media, reaction has ranged from outrage to heartbreak. Many have expressed sympathy for the children left behind. Others have focused on the symbolism of a service weapon being used in a domestic dispute.
For residents of Soshanguve, it is a stark reminder that tragedy can unfold behind any closed door, regardless of profession or rank.
The court’s message was clear. No one is above the law, and authority does not shield anyone from its consequences.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: A&E
