Johannesburg – Two South African Police Service (SAPS) members, a Sergeant and a Constable, were shot and killed while performing routine crime-prevention duties in Ivory Park Extension 9 on Friday evening.
The officers were attacked by unknown suspects who opened fire on them, fatally wounding both. The attackers then disarmed the fallen officers, fleeing the scene with two state-issued pistols, one SAPS rifle, and the officers’ two cellphones.
National Commissioner of Police, General Fannie Masemola, has condemned the killings and ordered the immediate mobilisation of maximum resources to apprehend those responsible. Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, has been directed to oversee the operation.
A specialised task team consisting of experienced detectives and tactical response units has been assembled to lead the investigation, track the suspects, and recover the stolen firearms.
General Masemola stated that attacks on police officers constitute a direct assault on the authority of the state and will not be tolerated. He called on all law-enforcement members to remain extra vigilant and to respond decisively when faced with threats to their safety.
The SAPS has appealed to the public for assistance in tracing the suspects. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or to call the Ivory Park Police Station Commander, Brigadier Ngcobo, directly on 076 411 2314. Tip-offs may be submitted anonymously and all information will be treated confidentially.
The investigation is ongoing and police have vowed to leave no stone unturned until the perpetrators are brought to justice.
