Africa-Press – South-Africa. Two police officers responding to a crime scene were disarmed and shot dead in Boksburg, Gauteng on Thursday evening.
According to police spokesperson, Colonel Athlenda Mathe, the officers were waiting for a mortuary van at the crime scene when they were shot after responding to a complaint of an “unnatural death”.
Three men disarmed the officers, stole their service pistols and bulletproof vests and fled on foot, Mathe added.
She said the officers were stationed at the Boksburg North police station. One of the officers was a 45-year-old sergeant with 18 years’ experience. The other was a 29-year-old constable with three years of service.
National police commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, said communities needed to work together to stop police murders.
“The killing of police officers in the line of duty and for their service pistols undermines the authority of the state and the proper functioning of the criminal justice system.
“While we review our police safety strategy and plan, as management, we are calling for greater cooperation with our citizens to put an end to such incidents collectively. We believe that such incidents can be prevented.”
“We will not rest until we find those behind the attack and killing of police officers. My deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the two members”, Masemola said.
Mathe called on anyone with information on the incident to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or provide information on the My SAPS App. She said the information would be treated with confidentiality.
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