A Gqeberha police sergeant allegedly killed his wife before taking his own life on 18 July 2026, marking the second such incident in Nelson Mandela Bay this year.
The shooting occurred shortly after midnight at the couple’s home in Parsonsvlei. Police found the bodies of 44-year-old sergeant Sivuyile September and his 34-year-old wife Yoleka September, both with gunshot wounds.
Their 12-year-old son witnessed a heated argument before the shots and later discovered the scene. Their five-year-old son slept through the incident. The names were withheld to protect the children.
This follows a May murder-suicide in Kariega involving three officers. National data from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate recorded 27 domestic violence cases involving police in the 2025/26 financial year, including five murder-suicides in the Eastern Cape.
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union called for better psychological support, stating that officers face intense trauma and stress. SAPS said it has activated wellness programmes and encourages early help-seeking.
