Officer accused of killing girlfriend should not get bail: Maile

Acting Gauteng Premier Lebogang Maile engaging with Patricia Keppler’s family.

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Acting Gauteng Premier Lebogang Maile says the police officer who allegedly shot and killed his 22-year-old girlfriend must not be granted bail.

Patricia Keppler was a Gauteng Traffic Warden from Eldorado Park, south of Johannesburg. Police watchdog, IPID, says the suspect allegedly fired several shots using his service pistol through the window at Keppler’s residence in Eldorado Park on Thursday following a domestic dispute.

The 42-year-old police officer is currently in hospital under police guard after he shot himself.

He is expected to appear in the Protea Magistrate Court in Soweto on Monday on a charge of murder.

Maile has visited the deceased’s family.

“He must not be treated like a police officer. He must be treated like a typical criminal, like the scum that he is. And we must make sure that this case is successfully prosecuted. And he must spend the rest of his life in jail because we are extremely saddened and angry. We must send a message that if people who think that they have some authority because they are in the police or government, they can abuse that authority.”

The Gauteng Acting Premier, Mr @LebogangMaile1 , together with HoD, Ms Nontsikelelo Sisulu, visited the home of the late Gauteng Traffic Warden, Ms Patricia Keppler, following her tragic murder. pic.twitter.com/CDno9ZRM65

— GP Department of Community Safety (@GP_CommSafety) December 28, 2024

Acting Premier, Mr Lebogang Maile condemned the ‘cowardice’ act and conveyed the provincial government’s commitment to addressing the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide which continues to devastate families and communities across the province.#GrowingASaferGauteng pic.twitter.com/TxJHHml1Mq

— GP Department of Community Safety (@GP_CommSafety) December 28, 2024