GEORGE NEWS - A George Municipality law enforcement officer facing charges of attempted murder and the pointing of a firearm was released on R500 bail after appearing in the Thembalethu Magistrate's Court on Friday 16 October.
The officer allegedly assaulted his heavily pregnant girlfriend and threatened her with his official service weapon.
He reportedly handed himself over at the George Police Station last Wednesday, 14 October, after the police had been looking for him. The case was subsequently transferred to the Conville Police for investigation as the alleged incidents occurred in the Conville policing area.
Warrant Officer Chris Spies, the provincial police spokesperson, confirmed the arrest and investigation. "The Conville detectives are investigating a case of attempted murder and common assault surrounding the alleged incidents in a domestic relationship between March and October 2026. These matters were reported to the police, and the investigation led to the arrest of a 34-year-old man," said Spies.
Questions have been raised about whether the firearm involved was indeed an official service weapon issued to the officer.
George Herald approached the municipality regarding the allegations that the officer, who was back at work this week, had pointed a firearm and threatened a colleague while on duty during an argument earlier this year, and whether any disciplinary action or risk assessment had followed.
Lee-Anne Meiring, George Municipality's director of community safety and mobility, confirmed that the municipality was aware of the officer's arrest and court appearance.
"As it is subject to a police investigation, the municipality will not comment on the merits of the case," she said.
Meiring added that the municipality does not comment on individual employee-related matters, which are treated as confidential. She referred further enquiries about the criminal case to the South African Police Service.
The municipality did not confirm whether the firearm was an official service weapon or address the allegations concerning the officer's previous conduct.
The officer will be back in court on 9 December.
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