Pretoria: The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) General Fannie Masemola has commended a joint intelligence driven operation for the swift arrest of three men following the murder of a police sergeant on Christmas Day.

The suspects aged 30, 25 and 22 years of age were arrested during a raid on three identified premises in Kliptown on Friday, 30 December 2022.

A preliminary investigation into the incident indicates that 41-year-old Sergeant Phillip Mathlaela was shot and killed while parked on a bridge in Kliptown. His body was then dumped into a river.

The motive of the attack and killing of the off-duty police officer is under investigation. The police officer’s belongings including two cellphones, his vehicle and its key were found on the scene ruling out robbery as a motive for the attack.

The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola has condemned the attack and killing of members both on and off duty and says police will continue to bring to book those behind the heinous attacks and killing of police officers.

The three men will be charged with murder and for being in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The trio will appear before the Kliptown Magistrates’ court on Tuesday, 02 January 2022.

Source: South African Police Service