E Cape constable killed in ambush

Thursday, October 11, 2018

National Police Commissioner, General Khehla John Sitole, has condemned the ongoing attacks and killings of members of the South African Police Services (SAPS).

This following the slaying of a 36-year-old constable in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday. The officer, who was attached to the Mount Road Detective Unit, was shot and killed in an ambush as he returned from an assignment.

The attack comes a month after the SAPS mourned the 29 officers killed in the line of duty during the 2017/18 financial year.

“The constable was on his way back from The St Albans Correctional Centre heading towards the Mount Road Police Station when he noticed a silver grey light motor vehicle with two occupants following him,” said police spokesperson Vishnu Naidoo.

In the statement, police said the unnamed officer then reached for his two-way radio to call for back-up.

“Before there was silence on the two-way radio, the member had already notified the back-up team where he was,” said Naidoo.

Members of Kabega SAPS followed up on the information and upon arrival found the member lying two meters away from the state vehicle. The member was found with a bullet wound to his head and still in possession of his service pistol, he said.

Sitole in the statement expressed condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased member. He has also instructed that a 72-hour activation plan be implemented to track down the killers of the member.

"The killing of the constable must be condemned in the strongest way possible by all sectors of society. The multi-disciplinary team has been tasked to investigate this case and bring those responsible to book as soon as possible.”

The police have urged anyone with information related to the incident to contact the nearest police station or alternatively call the SAPS hotline on 08600 10111. Callers may remain anonymous and all information will be treated with strictest confidence. – SAnews.gov.za