The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela has ordered for the swift arrest of suspects who shot and injured a 37 year old police Sergeant at Masoyi near White River whilst a 56-year-old police Captain was also shot and stabbed at Emalahleni. Both incidents are said to have occurred today, Monday, 20 September 2021.

Police report indicates that the incident at Masoyi occurred whilst the member, together with his colleague were attending to a complaint which was earlier brought to the attention of the police about a robbery incident where a firearm was taken. Upon receiving information on the whereabouts of the suspect, members followed up on the details and arrived at the place where the suspect was hiding, only to be subjected to a shooting whereby one member sustained some injuries before the suspect fled the scene. The said member was taken to hospital for medical treatment and a case was opened accordingly with a launch of manhunt.

Meanwhile an off-duty police Captain was reportedly shot by a group of three suspects at Witbank today before they (suspects) hijacked him as well as stabbed him and took him to a secluded area in the bushes near Vosman. He was then held hostage as well as robbed of his private firearm, and undisclosed amount of cash but fortunately managed to drive away whilst suspects fired shots at him. He then went to call for help and the Captain was taken to hospital for treatment. A case of attempted murder with an additional charge of armed robbery was opened. A manhunt has since been launched for the suspects.

The Provincial Commissioner has reiterated that an attack on police officers or any officer of the law is an attack on the rule of law and the state. The General further indicated that the suspects should be brought to book soon and their attempts will not deter crime fighting efforts by the police as mandated by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.

Source: South African Police Service