From visiting a sangoma to murder: Pretoria policewoman found guilty of killing her husband
The High Court in Pretoria has convicted police sergeant Kate Lindiwe Hlongwane, 45, of the premeditated murder of her husband, Russel Hlongwane, 40, who was also the father of their three children.
Hlongwane was based at the Dube police station in Tshwane, under the visible policing unit.
According to Gauteng regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Lumka Mahanjana, evidence presented in court showed that on 27 January 2024, Hlongwane visited a sangoma in Soshanguve.
“Her husband was alerted by the vehicle tracker that the family car was in a high-risk area. He then drove to the location and found Hlongwane consulting with the sangoma,” said Mahanjana.
“He instructed her to return home, and they each drove back in separate vehicles to their residence in Soshanguve Extension 7.”
Later that night, when Russel arrived home, he confronted his wife about the visit to the sangoma, and an argument ensued.
Russel told Kate that he would take her to his parents’ house so that she would “learn discipline”.
The couple began loading Kate’s clothes into their vehicle and drove off together.
A few minutes later, in the early hours of the morning, the couple returned home, where Hlongwane shot her husband several times with her service pistol.
Upon hearing the car return and gunshots soon after, the family’s domestic worker went outside to investigate.
“She then met the policewoman, who ignored her when she asked about her husband’s whereabouts,” said Mahanjana.
“The helper continued to search and found the deceased lying on the ground outside their gate, bleeding profusely next to a neighbour’s house. A neighbour, who also heard the gunshots, rushed the victim to Akasia Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.”
Hlongwane was arrested later that day, 28 January 2024, and the case was referred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for investigation.
In court, Hlongwane pleaded not guilty, claiming the firearm discharged accidentally during a struggle with her husband.
However, advocate Vhungani Khoza for the State presented expert ballistic evidence that contradicted her version. The ballistic expert, trained in distance determination and wound analysis, testified that the shots were fired from a distance, disproving Hlongwane’s claim and proving the State’s case beyond a reasonable doubt.
In his judgment, Judge Papi Mosopa said Hlongwane’s version was “unconvincing and improbable”.
The judge rejected her evidence, finding the State’s case credible and unchallenged.
The matter was postponed to 1 December for sentencing proceedings.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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