The Fort Beaufort Regional Court convicted and sentenced Andiswa Nqiqi (38) on 09 March 2024 for charges of police murder.
In August 2021 at about 16:20, the police received a complaint about a police official who shot himself in Zwide Location in Fort Beaufort.
On arrival at the scene, the police could identify the deceased as Constable Wongama Nqiqi (25) years old by then attached to Doringkloof Community Service Centre lying on the floor in a pool of blood still in police uniform. The report received from the wife of Nqiqi was that he came back carrying a carry pack of alcohol. They had an argument and she told him to put the firearm away and the Constable put the firearm against his head and shot himself.
Further investigation through interviewing witnesses who were present during the incident, it was discovered that it was actually the wife who shot and killed the constable after an argument. The wife connived with the witnesses to collaborate her version of the statement that the deceased shot and killed himself.
Andiswa Nqiqi was arrested by the Gqeberha based National Priority Violent Crime Unit of the Hawks and Fort Beaufort Detectives on the same day of the incident. She appeared in Fort Beaufort Magistrates and was released on bail.
The matter was later referred to Fort Beaufort Regional Court. After a lengthy trial she was ultimately convicted and sentenced on 09 March 2024.The sentencing went as follows:
To undergo 36 months of correctional supervision,
To be under house arrest for the duration of her correctional supervision,
To engage in 16 hours’ of community service each month of correctional supervision,
To undergo five years’ imprisonment wholly suspended for five years’ provided she does get involved in violent crime again
She was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The Provincial Head Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya lauded the team for the swift response that led to the apprehension of the accused in no time and the expert skills used in evidence collection to ensure conviction and sentencing though the sentencing is influenced by the Social Workers’ report since Nqiqi has four minor children who can be adversely affected if she became incarcerated.
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