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The South African Police Service is mourning the loss of Warrant Officer Ennice Nortman, a 53-year-old Crime Intelligence officer who died after being struck by a BMW SUV at Lichtenburg Mall in North West province, South Africa.

The incident happened on Monday, October 19, 2026, while Nortman was on duty. She suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital by emergency medical personnel, but she died later that evening.

Her death has prompted a police murder investigation and renewed calls for the public to respect the investigation by avoiding the circulation of footage showing the incident. The loss has also deeply affected her family, colleagues and others who knew her through her years of service.

What Happened to Ennice Nortman?

Nortman was attached to the North West Provincial Crime Intelligence unit in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District. On the afternoon of October 19, she was at Lichtenburg Mall on Dr Nelson Mandela Drive.

According to police accounts reported by South African media, Nortman was crossing the driveway near a pedestrian crossing when a BMW SUV struck her. Emergency services transported her to hospital for treatment.

Despite medical intervention, she died later that evening.

Police spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh confirmed that a murder case was being investigated. The circumstances surrounding the collision remain subject to the legal process, and allegations against the driver must be assessed through the courts.

Driver Arrested as Murder Investigation Continues

Police arrested 23-year-old Akilesh Gupta following preliminary investigations into Nortman’s death. He appeared before the Lichtenburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, and was remanded in custody until his next court appearance, scheduled for Tuesday, October 27.

Authorities are investigating a murder charge and are also pursuing possible charges relating to an alleged contravention of immigration legislation.

An arrest and a charge are not the same as a conviction. The court process will determine how the case proceeds and what the evidence establishes.

Police have also appealed to members of the public not to circulate CCTV recordings or other videos of the incident. Authorities warned that sharing such material could interfere with investigative work and affect the integrity of the proceedings.

Remembering Ennice Nortman’s Years of Police Service

Nortman served in the South African Police Service for approximately 34 years, according to reporting that included details shared by her family. Her work in Crime Intelligence placed her within a part of policing focused on gathering and analysing information to support investigations.

Her death has been felt not only as the loss of a police officer but also as the sudden loss of a wife, mother and family member.

Her husband, Willem Nortman, is also a police warrant officer. In remarks reported after her death, he described the loss as difficult to comprehend and reflected on the life they had built together. The couple had been married for 30 years and had two sons.

Family accounts also described Nortman as someone who cared deeply about her children and was willing to help people experiencing hardship. Her husband recalled her efforts to assist people in the community, including helping animals in need.

These personal memories offer a fuller picture of a woman whose life extended beyond her uniform and professional responsibilities.

Constable Itumeleng Johannes Pule Dies in a Separate Collision

Nortman’s death came amid another loss for the North West police community. Constable Itumeleng Johannes Pule, 40, died in a separate road collision on Sunday, October 18, 2026.

Pule was attached to the Vryburg Stock Theft and Endangered Species unit in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.

According to police information, he was driving a red Volkswagen Polo Vivo on the R378, approximately 20 kilometres before Ganyesa, at about 8:10 p.m. when his vehicle collided with a Nissan NP200 travelling in the opposite direction.

Pule was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife, who was travelling with him, sustained slight injuries and was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment.

Police opened a culpable homicide case at Ganyesa police station and are investigating the circumstances of the collision.

Although the two officers died in separate incidents, their deaths within days of each other have brought sorrow to colleagues across the provincial service.

Police Leadership Pays Tribute to the Fallen Officers

North West Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams expressed condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of Nortman and Pule.

The deaths have highlighted the personal cost of losing members of the police service and the impact such tragedies have on the people who worked alongside them.

For both families, the immediate concern is the loss of loved ones. For investigators, the priority remains establishing the facts surrounding each incident and following the appropriate legal procedures.

Ennice Nortman Accident Death: Personal Details

Condolences to the Nortman and Pule Families

The deaths of Warrant Officer Ennice Nortman and Constable Itumeleng Johannes Pule have left their families and colleagues facing separate but deeply painful losses.

Nortman is remembered through accounts of her long police service, her devotion to her family and her concern for people in need. Pule’s death has also brought grief to those who served alongside him and to his loved ones, including his wife, who was injured in the collision that claimed his life.

As investigations continue, both families deserve privacy and consideration. The legal proceedings concerning Nortman’s death should be allowed to progress without speculation or the unnecessary sharing of distressing footage.

May the memories of both officers bring comfort to their loved ones, and may their families receive support during this difficult period.

Disclaimer

This article is based on publicly reported information available as of October 23, 2026. Details concerning the investigation and court proceedings may change as new information emerges. Allegations against an accused person should not be treated as a conviction, and the final legal outcome remains subject to the court process. Funeral and memorial arrangements have not been independently confirmed for inclusion in this article.