Bail judgment next week for JMPD officer accused of killing colleague in Soweto

A Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officer accused of killing a colleague will return to court next week to learn the outcome of her bail application.

Who is before the court

Amukelani Musengi, 40, appeared this week at the Protea Magistrate’s Court for the verification of her address. The court postponed the matter to 13 July 2026 for judgment in the bail application.

Allegations from IPID

Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) spokesperson Lizzy Suping said Musengi is accused of murdering her colleague, Palesa Rikhotso. According to Suping, Musengi allegedly killed Rikhotso on 28 June 2026.

Sequence of events given by investigators

IPID’s account states that Musengi had an argument with her partner at an event in Glenridge Extension 16, Soweto, and reached out to Rikhotso to intervene. When Rikhotso arrived at the venue, her partner reportedly got into Rikhotso’s car and they drove away.

“As they were driving away, Musengi allegedly fired several shots with her service firearm towards the departing car, fatally wounding Rikhotso, who was certified dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel,” Suping said.

Arrest and evidence

Musengi was off duty at the time of the incident and was arrested after the shooting. IPID said that following her arrest she was taken to the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital so blood samples could be drawn for an alcohol test.

Suping confirmed that a 9mm pistol, empty cartridges and live ammunition were found at the scene.

Next steps

The Protea Magistrate’s Court will hand down its judgment on Musengi’s bail application on 13 July 2026.

“Musengi allegedly killed Rikhotso on June 28, 2026,” IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping said.