Qacha’s Nek __ A police officer from Qacha’s Nek and his lover are fighting for their lives at Queen 'Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH) following a shooting incident in the early hours of Friday.

The officer, a police constable stationed at Qacha’s Nek, allegedly shot himself in the mouth, with the bullet lodging near his forehead.

He also reportedly shot his lover near the arm, with the bullet tearing through her flesh and shattering a curtain and window behind her.

Witnesses say the incident unfolded around 3 a.m.

One anonymous witness reported hearing the couple arrive at their home, followed by two loud gunshots.

Alarmed, he said he woke his landlord, and together they rushed to the scene. “We knocked on the door and heard the woman crying for help, saying she had been shot. We managed to open the door and found her lying near the entrance,” the witness recounted.

The witness initially thought the man had fled, but upon further inspection, he found him slumped by the sofa, bleeding heavily from the face. “It was a horrific scene,” the witness added.

Both the man and the woman were transported to Machabeng Government Hospital and later transferred to Maseru due to the severity of their injuries.

The woman, who had lived in the house for two months, was found half-naked, undressed from the waist down, while the man was still fully clothed. Neighbors, shocked by the violence, described the scene as traumatizing.

“I always hear about these incidents on the news, but I never thought it would happen in my own yard,” the landlord said, visibly shaken by the events. “I don’t know how I’m going to cope with this going forward.”

Local officials expressed outrage and disappointment over the incident. Motse-mocha Councilor Motlomelo Hlaoli condemned the actions of the police officer. “Police are meant to protect us, not harm us. This incident has destroyed the dignity of our village.”

Motse-mocha Area Chief, Chief Thabo Mongali, himself a retired police officer, expressed shock and sadness over the event. “This is a terrible betrayal of the oath to protect our people. Such actions tarnish the reputation of the entire force and leave the community feeling unsafe.”

Senior Superintendent Thembinkose Sibanda, head of Qacha’s Nek Police, confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the exact sequence of events. “We are still investigating who fired the shots and what led to this tragic incident. It is rare and deeply disappointing,” he said.

He also urged couples facing problems to seek help before resorting to violence.

As investigations continue, the community remains on edge, grappling with the shock and trauma of an incident involving those sworn to protect them.

This tragic case serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing domestic issues before they spiral into violence, especially for those in positions of authority.

With both the officer and his lover in critical condition, their recovery is uncertain, and the village is left to contemplate the fallout from a devastating act of mutual infidelity and violence.