POLICE OFFICER WANTED FOR MURDER OF HIS GIRLFRIEND
— CrimeInSA (@sa_crime) December 26, 2024
It is alleged that Officer Mandla Goodman Buthelezi shot and killed his girlfriend, Crime Prevention Warden Chesnay Patricia Keppler (22). The officer allegedly went to visit his girlfriend on Christmas day in Eldorado Park,… pic.twitter.com/kG7DUeqSU4
Date: December 26, 2024
In a shocking turn of events on Christmas Day in Eldorado Park, Johannesburg, a community was left reeling after a police officer, Officer Mandla Goodman Buthelezi, was reported to have murdered his girlfriend, Crime Prevention Warden Chesnay Patricia Keppler, aged 22. According to a recent post by @sa_crime on X, Buthelezi, who was allegedly intoxicated, visited Keppler at her home where she was spending time with her friends and mother.
The incident escalated quickly when Buthelezi attempted to forcibly take Keppler into a state vehicle he was driving. When Keppler and her friend managed to escape his grasp and lock themselves inside the house, Buthelezi’s actions took a deadly turn. He reportedly retrieved his firearm from the state vehicle, returned to the yard, and shot Keppler through the kitchen window multiple times before fleeing the scene in the vehicle.
This tragic event has sparked outrage and calls for justice, with the community and social media users expressing their shock and demand for accountability. The post includes a “Wanted” poster for Mandla Buthelezi, urging anyone with information to contact Eldorado Park Police Station or via WhatsApp at the provided numbers.
Community Response:
The response on X has been swift and varied. Users like @winKnee_ have questioned the recruitment process of the South African Police Service (SAPS), asking about the psychological evaluations officers undergo before being issued firearms. This raises significant concerns about the mental fitness of law enforcement officers and the need for more rigorous screening processes.
Others, like @LMongalo53699, expressed disdain for the accused with strong language, highlighting the deep-seated anger and disappointment in the community. @groomed4glory pointed out the alarming trend of intimate partner violence, noting that this was the third incident of a woman being killed by her partner this December, underlining the high stress and violence during the holiday season.
Calls for action were also evident with @Common_man18 suggesting the involvement of a specialized tracing team from KZN, indicating a lack of trust in the local law enforcement’s ability to handle the situation promptly. Meanwhile, @tony42code proposed stricter entry requirements for SAPS, including biweekly mental wellness checks for officers, emphasizing the need for ongoing mental health monitoring in high-stress jobs like policing