Two shots went off in a home in West Beach on Sunday leaving a 47-year-old Hawks colonel dead.
Hawks spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase said Colonel Huitbrecht Christina Stemmet was shot and killed in her home on Sunday night.
At the time of her death, Colonel Stemmet was with the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team.
Lieutenant Colonel Nkwalase said a preliminary investigation had ruled out any link between her death and investigations she had been handling.
“An inquest docket has been opened to explore circumstances surrounding the death of such a seasoned and dedicated officer.
“The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation would like to convey our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Colonel Stemmet,” he said.
The Cape Argus said a report compiled by Table View police officers on the scene states they responded to shots fired at 2 Carlisle Close, West Beach.
“The deceased was found on the bed of the guest room with two cartridges on the ground next to the bed. Her boyfriend reported that Stemmet had locked herself into the guest bedroom. The gardener who lives in the flat at the back reported that he was in his room when he heard a shot and ran in to investigate.
“He found the boyfriend in the dining room trying to call an emergency number when they heard a second shot. The door leading to the guest room as well as the door in the bathroom was locked. The door was kicked open and the deceased was found on the bed,” said the police report.
Provincial SAPS spokesman Captain FC van Wyk said a post-mortem would be done to determine the cause of her death.
“Residue tests will also be conducted. The outcome of these tests will determine if the inquest docket will be changed to that of murder,” he said.
Lieutenant Colonel Nkwalase said Colonel Stemmet had been leading an investigation into corruption scandals at state-owned petrochemical company PetroSA.
“The investigation into PetroSA has been finalised, and her death will not result in a delay of the court proceedings. The commander will make a decision on who should take the matter forward,” he said.
Here’s a wrap of the weekly crime stories:
* Police arrested a 37-year-old man on a murder charge after a man was stabbed to death in Site 5.
According to Table View police spokeswoman Captain Adriana Chandler, the victim’s body was found in the informal settlement on Saturday November 2.
The suspect was arrested on Sunday November 10 and was set to appear at the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday November 12.
* Six people were arrested in connection with the murder, earlier this year, of a 19-year-old man.
Captain Chandler said the man was attacked with stones and branches in Site 5 on Wednesday July 17 before succumbing to his injuries.
The six were arrested on Friday November 8 after information was obtained by Table View police.
The suspects were set to appear at the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday November 11.