Manhunt Launched After Two Police Officers Brutally Killed in Eastern Cape
A massive multi-disciplinary manhunt has been launched in the Eastern Cape following the brutal murder of two South African Police Service (SAPS) officers at Ziphunzana Location in Libode, near Mthatha, in the early hours of Friday.
A massive multi-disciplinary manhunt has been launched in the Eastern Cape following the brutal murder of two South African Police Service (SAPS) officers at Ziphunzana Location in Libode, near Mthatha, in the early hours of Friday.
The fallen officers, aged 51 and 30, were dedicated members of the Mthatha National Intervention Unit and the Mthatha Public Order Policing Unit respectively.
The tragedy unfolded after the officers placed themselves on duty during the early hours of the morning to respond to an emergency call regarding an alleged business robbery at a local spaza shop.
Upon arrival, the officers were ambushed and fatally shot. Their service pistols were stolen by the perpetrators.
Acting National Commissioner of SAPS, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has condemned the killings in the strongest terms and ordered that maximum police resources be deployed immediately to track down and arrest the suspects.
“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,” said Lieutenant General Dimpane.
“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.”
Dimpane also extended her deepest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased officers, promising that the SAPS would stand firmly by them during this tragic time.
A multi-disciplinary team is currently on the ground pursuing preliminary intelligence leads.
The SAPS appeals to anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators to contact the police immediately.
