Eastern Cape police are mourning the death of one of their members who was killed in a tragic incident, that played out at a house in Mthatha.
Spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu says the 35-year-old Constable from the Mthatha Flying Squad was hanging out at his house with his cousin and their girlfriends on Saturday.
She says at about 23.20 the 20-year-old cousin walked outside the house on Sisson Street in Fort Gale and a shot was heard.
Colonel Naidu says when everyone ran outside, they found the cousin lying against the wall with a gunshot wound to his head.
She says it is alleged that he used the Constable's service pistol to take his own life.
Colonel Naidu says the officer picked up his gun in a panic and shot himself.
Their names are being withheld until formal identification has been completed.
Circumstances surrounding the double tragedy are under investigation.
Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene urged members to make use of their in-house support with trained psychologists and social workers to assist members in dealing with their emotional stress.
