KEY POINTS
- Constable Bonani Nkonzo, a Western Cape police officer, was found guilty of murder and nine counts of attempted murder after a shooting spree at a children’s party in 2018, which left one dead and nine injured.
- The incident occurred during a domestic dispute, with Nkonzo using his service firearm to shoot indiscriminately, including at his wife, who survived a gunshot to the head.
- Nkonzo’s sentencing is set for March 5, 2025, with the case highlighting concerns about police accountability and the misuse of service weapons.
In a shocking case that has gripped the Western Cape, Bonani Nkonzo, a police officer has been found guilty of murder and multiple counts of attempted murder after a violent shooting spree at a children’s party in 2018.
Constable Nkonzo, who was off-duty at the time, returned to his residence during a family celebration and unleashed a hail of bullets, killing his wife’s sister and injuring nine others, including a nine-year-old child.
IOL reports that the tragic incident occurred on October 28, 2018, when Nkonzo became embroiled in a heated domestic dispute with his wife. According to Lizzy Suping, spokesperson for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), Nkonzo’s rage escalated to the point where he drew his service firearm and began firing indiscriminately.
“He started shooting randomly while walking into each room. He fatally shot his wife’s sister and injured nine others, including a minor child who was just nine years old at the time,” Suping recounted.
The chaos unfolded as Nkonzo moved from room to room, leaving a trail of devastation in his wake. His wife, who was shot in the head during the rampage, miraculously survived the attack. The other victims, including children and adults, sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The shooting prompted immediate action from law enforcement. Ipid was notified of the incident shortly after it occurred, and Nkonzo was arrested the same day. He was charged with one count of murder and nine counts of attempted murder, with the case drawing widespread attention due to the involvement of a police officer and the sheer brutality of the attack.
Nkonzo found guilty after years of legal proceedings
After years of legal proceedings and a thorough investigation, Nkonzo was found guilty on all charges in the Western Cape High Court. The court heard harrowing testimonies from survivors and examined forensic evidence that painted a chilling picture of the events that unfolded that fateful evening.
“The evidence presented was overwhelming. Witnesses described the terror they experienced as Nkonzo fired shots indiscriminately, turning what should have been a joyous occasion into a scene of horror,” said a court official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Nkonzo’s sentencing is scheduled for March 5, 2025, and he faces the possibility of life imprisonment for his crimes. The case has reignited debates about police accountability and the need for stricter controls over the use of service firearms, particularly in domestic settings.
Lizzy Suping emphasized the importance of holding law enforcement officers to the highest standards of conduct. “This case is a stark reminder that no one is above the law. The actions of Constable Nkonzo not only betrayed the trust placed in him as a police officer but also caused irreparable harm to innocent lives,” she said.
The victims and their families have expressed relief at the guilty verdict but continue to grapple with the emotional and physical scars left by the incident. Community leaders have called for increased support for survivors of gun violence and stricter measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
