Africa-Press – South-Africa. A 35-year-old off-duty traffic officer was shot and killed in an apparent hijacking at Saselani Trust near Bushbuckridge on Friday evening.
The officer was allegedly driving his gold VW Polo hatchback with his two friends at about 21:00, when two armed suspects suddenly emerged from the side of the road, wielding a firearm.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the suspects then ordered the officer to stop but when he didn’t comply, they fired shots at the vehicle, injuring him. “As a result, he subsequently stopped the vehicle, whereby the suspects rounded them up and allegedly dragged the injured driver as well as his two friends out of the car,” Mohlala said.
The suspects apparently then drove away with the victim’s car. Its registration number is HLL 305 MP.
The victims were assisted by other motorists, who took them to Mapulaneng Hospital where the injured traffic officer died on arrival. He has since been identified by his family as Thabo Mashego.
Mohlala told News24 Mashego didn’t have a service pistol on him when the hijacking occurred. Bushbuckridge police opened a case of hijacking with an additional charge of murder and a manhunt was launched for the suspects.
Mpumalanga police commissioner Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has vehemently condemned the “barbaric act” and called for the swift arrest of the suspects. “We cannot allow this senseless killing to continue whereby perpetrators not only take the victims’ belongings but also their lives. Those suspects must be hunted down and be quickly brought to book” said Manamela.
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People are urged to come forward with information to apprehend the perpetrators by calling Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison Vusi Shongwe has expressed deep shock over the killing of Mashego, who was stationed at Mapulaneng cost centre.
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