Western Cape cop accused of shooting ex-girlfriend, murdering her new lover

A Western Cape police detective has appeared in the Wellington Magistrate’s Court on charges of murder and attempted murder. 

Wayne Wantza, 42,  made a brief appearance in court on Tuesday. 

According to reports, the incident occurred at a house on Schoongezicht Street in Wellington, where people were socializing on Saturday afternoon, July 26. 

The deceased, Petrus Jacobs, 49, from Paarl, was part of the gathering. This led to Wantza’s snapping.  

It is alleged that Wantza called his ex-girlfriend aside and made a threat of sorts. But this soon turned into a fit of rage. He is alleged to have shot the woman, originally from Bishop Lavis, seven times.

He went on to shoot Jacobs in the head. He died on the scene. The police officer allegedly used his private firearm. 

Wantza then fled the scene. Hours later, he was arrested by police in Mooreesburg. 

The provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Novela Potelwa, confirmed the incident.

“A police detective was arrested in Moorreesburg after he allegedly fatally shot a 49-year-old man from Paarl East and seriously wounded his girlfriend on Saturday afternoon. Reports from the scene indicate that the police official arrived at the deceased man’s home and approached the female victim with whom he was previously in a relationship. 

“After speaking with her on the side, the suspect shot both the deceased and the victim. He was apprehended on murder and attempted murder charges,” Potelwa said. 

During his appearance, Wantza applied for bail; however, the matter was postponed because the state was not ready to proceed.

The court also heard that Wantza would be accommodated at the Wellington SAPS holding cells for seven days, but he may be transferred to the Malmesbury Prison thereafter. 

The matter has been postponed until August 13 for the bail application. 

robin.francke@iol.co.za

IOL