Two police officers have been shot dead in Libode near Mthatha in the Eastern Cape while responding to a business robbery, police said.
The incident occurred when members were dispatched to assist after reports of an alleged robbery at a spaza shop in the Ziphunzana section of the area. According to the police’s Eastern Cape communications, the officers were killed during the response to the call.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the two officers—aged 51 and 30—were attached to different units. The older member was with the Mthatha National Intervention Unit, while the younger officer served with the Mthatha Public Order Policing Unit.
“The two officers were subsequently found with gunshot wounds,” Mathe said.
Mathe added that the officers’ firearms were taken during the attack.
“Their service pistols were also taken by the perpetrators.”
Investigation escalates
Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane has directed that police mobilise fully in the pursuit of those responsible. A multidisciplinary team has been assembled to investigate the killings and track down the perpetrators.
“The killing of two police officers who were responding to a call for assistance is an attack on the men and women who place themselves in harm’s way to protect our communities and an attack on the authority of the State,” she said.
“I have directed that maximum resources be deployed to this investigation. The Eastern Cape will leave no stone unturned and will leave nothing to chance in ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice. We will find the killers, and we will find the firearms that were taken from our members. Those firearms must be recovered and returned to the SAPS.”
Dimpane also conveyed condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the two officers who died.
“These members answered a call for assistance and paid the ultimate price while performing their duty. We will stand with their families and colleagues during this difficult period.”
