Two on the run after killing a police officer

GAUTENG police have launched an investigation after a police officer was shot dead in Alberton, East Rand, yesterday.

Lieutenant-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said yesterday: “Police have launched a manhunt for two suspects travelling in a grey Ford Focus who fatally shot a policeman. He was shot once in the upper body and died at the scene.”

The 45-year-old policeman, who cannot be named until his family has been notified, was shot at a transport company in Alrode, Alberton.

The officer was sitting inside an unmarked police vehicle waiting for his colleague who was inside the building. His colleague was taking statements from the company’s employees for a case they were investigating, Dlamini said.

While the policeman was busy with the interviews, two men walked into the premises after intimidating a security guard at the gate.

One of the suspects suddenly pulled out a pistol and fired a shot inside the unmarked police car. They then fled in a getaway car which was parked outside the gate.

“It is unclear what triggered the suspect to shoot at the police officer, but it is suspected that their motive for entering the company’s premises was to commit crime.”

The Marikana Commission of Inquiry recently heard that 83 police officers were killed on duty during the past financial year.