North West policewoman dies after being struck by SUV as 23-year-old faces murder charge

A 53-year-old police officer has died after being struck by a BMW SUV at a shopping mall in Lichtenburg, North West, with a 23-year-old man now facing a murder charge in connection with the incident.

Warrant Officer Ennice Nortman, who was attached to the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Intelligence unit, was seriously injured while crossing the driveway at Lichtenburg Mall on Monday, 19 October.

She was taken to hospital by emergency medical services but died later that evening.

The case has drawn strong reactions from police leadership and Parliament, with calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.

Suspect appears in court

Police arrested the driver following preliminary investigations. The accused, Akilesh Gupta, 23, faces a murder charge and an alleged contravention of immigration legislation.

He appeared before the Lichtenburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 21 October, and was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on Tuesday, 27 October.

The incident occurred along Dr Nelson Mandela Drive, where Nortman was reportedly on duty when she was struck by the vehicle.

Police are continuing their investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Parliamentary chairperson condemns officer’s death

Police portfolio committee chairperson Ian Cameron has expressed shock at Nortman’s death, referring to a video of the incident circulating online.

Cameron said he would not share the footage, stressing that Nortman’s family and colleagues should not be subjected to repeatedly seeing the circumstances of her death.

He also called for the evidence to be thoroughly examined and said the driver should face the consequences established by the investigation.

Cameron urged authorities to treat the case with urgency, while extending his condolences to Nortman’s family, friends and fellow officers.

Second police officer dies in separate crash

Nortman’s death comes as the North West police community mourns another officer killed in a separate road collision.

Constable Itumeleng Johannes Pule, 40, died on Sunday, 18 October, in a crash on the R378, approximately 20km before Ganyesa.

According to the preliminary police report, Pule was off duty and driving his red Volkswagen Polo Vivo when it collided with a Nissan NP200 travelling in the opposite direction at approximately 20:10.

He was declared dead at the scene.

His wife, who was travelling with him, sustained slight injuries and was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment.

A case of culpable homicide has been opened at Ganyesa Police Station as investigators work to determine what led to the collision.

Police leadership pays tribute to fallen officers

North West provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams expressed sadness over the deaths of both officers, who served in different units across the province.

Nortman was attached to Provincial Crime Intelligence in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District, while Pule served with the Vryburg Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.

Adams extended his condolences to their families, friends and colleagues, while wishing those injured in the incidents a speedy recovery.

Police have appealed to members of the public to allow investigators to carry out their work without interference. Anyone with relevant information or footage is encouraged to share it directly with the investigating officers.

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Source: SAPS