JMPD officer accused of killing colleague to stay behind bars after court appearance

A Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department officer accused of fatally shooting a fellow officer in Soweto has been remanded in custody after a court appearance.

Court appearance and remand

Amukelani Musengi, a 40‑year‑old JMPD officer, appeared at the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 7 July. The case was postponed for verification of her address and will return to court on Wednesday, 8 July, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) said.

What police say happened

IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping said the shooting followed an argument Musengi had with her girlfriend while the pair were at an event at a club in Glenridge Extension 16, Soweto, in the early hours of Sunday, 28 July. Musengi contacted a colleague to intervene.

Suping described what happened after the colleague arrived and the couple left in the colleague’s car. In Suping’s words:

“As they were driving away from the event, Musengi, who was off duty, fired several shots with her service firearm towards the departing car, fatally wounding her fellow JMPD colleague.

“The JMPD officer was certified dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. Musengi was arrested and charged with the murder of her colleague,” Suping said.

Related investigation notes

The IPID statement notes Musengi was arrested and charged with murder. No further operational or investigatory details were provided in the IPID comments published with the report.

Separate Killarney gem‑heist development

The same IPID update reported that a third suspect in a R14.9‑million Killarney gem heist handed herself in at Edenvale police station and is expected to make her first appearance before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 7 July. IPID said three suspects have been arrested to date and that arrests of two remaining suspects are imminent. The suspect is expected to face charges including robbery with aggravating circumstances and fraud.

Further hearings and investigative steps have been set in the respective magistrates’ courts where both matters are being processed.