Two Gauteng metro police officers murdered in past week

Two metro police officers were murdered in separate incidents in Johannesburg and Tshwane in Gauteng this week, with one suspect arrested for the Johannesburg shooting.

Both officers were killed on Thursday. The Johannesburg Metro Police Department member was off-duty when he was disarmed and shot dead while walking in Hillbrow. Police said the two alleged killers fled with his service pistol.

The arrested suspect claimed he was from Mpumalanga, said Gauteng community safety MEC Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane. He indicated that his accomplice was a Zimbabwean national.

“The province has been robbed of selfless and dedicated members of our law enforcement agencies. On behalf of the Gauteng provincial government, I would like to send our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the two officers,” said Nkosi-Malobane.

Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba said the community helped police arrest one of men who fled into a hijacked building after the shooting.

“They assisted the police to get the suspect out of his hiding place in the building. Unfortunately, one community member was cut by glass and injured in the process. JMPD saw to it that the community member received medical care. My deepest appreciation goes to the community who wanted to see the rule of law upheld in the city. My heartfelt condolences go to the friends and families of our fallen officer,” said Mashaba.

The Pretoria officer, a Tshwane Metro Police Department constable, was stabbed to death at his home in Mamelodi on Thursday evening. No arrests have been made and the motive is unknown. Investigations are under way. ANA –