Police officer brutally killed day before SAPS Commemoration Day

President Cyril Ramaphosa sends a stern warning to those who kill police officers, stating this was an attack on the state. The President was speaking at the annual police commemoration day on Sunday. But just a day before the ceremony, a cop was fatally shot when attending to a business robbery in the Eastern Cape.

COP KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY

Sergeant Vakele Mark Mjoli was part of a crime prevention response team. Along with three colleagues, they attended to an emergency call of an armed business robbery in one of the retail stores in Engcobo, Eastern Cape.

As they arrived at the said retail store, the sergeant approached a man standing in front of the door, dressed in a security uniform, said police spokesperson Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana.

“Believing that the man was a security officer, he enquired from him the whereabouts of the suspects. The man pointed and directed him to the door.”

Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana

As the police officer made his way to the door, the said security officer turned out to be one of the suspects. He turned and started shooting at the police officer who died at the scene.

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SHOOTOUT ENSUES BETWEEN POLICE AND SUSPECTS

As the rest of the team went inside the shop, they were also met with a hail of bullets from other suspects who were inside the shop.

“Consequently, another member, Constable Mfundiso Ndebe, 35, suffered serious injuries and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical care,” Kinana said.

But two of the suspects were killed during the shootout. Two firearms believed to belong to the suspects were found at the scene. One vehicle also believed to have been the getaway car was also found in the area.

“Two of the five suspects are still at large, whilst one was arrested by the police. A murder case, attempted murder and an inquest are currently under investigation. No money was reported stolen during the incident,” said Kinana.

PRESIDENT AND SAPS COMMEMORATE FALLEN POLICE OFFICERS

But just on Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa and the South African Police Service were conducting the annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Union Buildings. This annual event is to commemorate fallen police officers.

Between 1 April 2021 and 31 March this year, 33 police men and women were killed while on duty, said Ramaphosa.

He said the country’s women and men in blue represent the authority of the state. Any attack on them is a direct attack on the state and the people.

“If criminals bother to read history, they must know that no one has ever defeated the people. Those responsible for police killings who have not yet been arrested must know that wherever they are, they will be found and they will face the full might of the law,” Ramaphosa said.

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