An East London police officer early yesterday morning shot and killed his wife before turning the gun on himself.
Warrant Officer Solomzi Hoyi, who worked at Fleet Street police station in East London, ended the life of his wife Noluthando Hoyi and then his own life around 2am.
According to the officer’s stepson Ayabulela Mani, the couple had been arguing and fighting since Monday night around 10pm.
The argument reportedly started after his mother arrived home from church to learn that two women had turned the house upside down demanding that Hoyi pay back money owed to them.
“My father denied that the women were there to see him and instead said they were at home to see me . My mother said I should go to my shack and sleep and they continued fighting,” said the 21-year-old son.
Mani said following the argument, Hoyi had knocked on his door and when he did not open, allegedly fired a shot into the ground.
Hoyi then reportedly went inside the house and shot Noluthando before turning the gun on himself.
Mani said he rushed inside the house and found his mother and stepfather in pools of blood.
“He shot her in the chest and in the head. I did not check where he shot himself but when I got into the house he was also on the floor and he was still breathing but struggling.
“I was crying for help from my neighbours but it was too late to save my mother.”
According to Mani, this was not the first time his stepfather had threatened to shoot them in the house.
He claimed that in June, while their mother was away, Hoyi had threatened to shoot him. However, his two younger sisters had intervened.
The girls live in King William’s Town with an aunt.
“A few years ago his firearm was confiscated after we laid complaints against him at work that he fired shots carelessly and threatened us at home. I don’t know when he got the gun back,” added Mani.
Police confirmed yesterday that the member had been working as a visible policing member.
His firearm had been suspended between 2006 and 2011 by order of the East London Magistrate’s Court.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Nkosikho Mzuku said the motive behind Hoyi’s actions were still unknown.
“They are leaving behind three children, boy and two girls and . Police are investigating a case of murder and inquest,” he said.
Police have not yet responded to allegations that Hoyi’s gun had previously been confiscated after he allegedly threatened the family.
Noluthando’s distraught mother Novulile Mani, who lives in Mdantsane, could not contain her tears when she arrived at the scene yesterday morning.
Residents said they were still shaken by the gunshots they heard. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
Cop kills wife, turns gun on himself
Warrant Officer Solomzi Hoyi, who worked at Fleet Street police station in East London, ended the life of his wife Noluthando Hoyi and then his own life around 2am.
According to the officer’s stepson Ayabulela Mani, the couple had been arguing and fighting since Monday night around 10pm.
The argument reportedly started after his mother arrived home from church to learn that two women had turned the house upside down demanding that Hoyi pay back money owed to them.
“My father denied that the women were there to see him and instead said they were at home to see me . My mother said I should go to my shack and sleep and they continued fighting,” said the 21-year-old son.
Mani said following the argument, Hoyi had knocked on his door and when he did not open, allegedly fired a shot into the ground.
Hoyi then reportedly went inside the house and shot Noluthando before turning the gun on himself.
Mani said he rushed inside the house and found his mother and stepfather in pools of blood.
“He shot her in the chest and in the head. I did not check where he shot himself but when I got into the house he was also on the floor and he was still breathing but struggling.
“I was crying for help from my neighbours but it was too late to save my mother.”
According to Mani, this was not the first time his stepfather had threatened to shoot them in the house.
He claimed that in June, while their mother was away, Hoyi had threatened to shoot him. However, his two younger sisters had intervened.
The girls live in King William’s Town with an aunt.
“A few years ago his firearm was confiscated after we laid complaints against him at work that he fired shots carelessly and threatened us at home. I don’t know when he got the gun back,” added Mani.
Police confirmed yesterday that the member had been working as a visible policing member.
His firearm had been suspended between 2006 and 2011 by order of the East London Magistrate’s Court.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Nkosikho Mzuku said the motive behind Hoyi’s actions were still unknown.
“They are leaving behind three children, boy and two girls and . Police are investigating a case of murder and inquest,” he said.
Police have not yet responded to allegations that Hoyi’s gun had previously been confiscated after he allegedly threatened the family.
Noluthando’s distraught mother Novulile Mani, who lives in Mdantsane, could not contain her tears when she arrived at the scene yesterday morning.
Residents said they were still shaken by the gunshots they heard. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
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