A police detective was killed during a failed robbery in Belfast, Mpumalanga, on Friday night. Three suspects have since been arrested following a dramatic chase and shootout.
According to authorities, a group of armed men posing as police officers ambushed people who had stopped their car on the roadside. The victims were held at gunpoint, but the suspects’ plan was interrupted when anti-hijacking and K9 unit officers patrolling the area noticed suspicious activity.
When police confronted them, the suspects opened fire before fleeing in a getaway car. A high-speed chase ended when the vehicle crashed into a tree. Inside, officers discovered the body of a 54-year-old detective from Pienaar, believed to have been fatally wounded in the gunfire.
Two firearms and ammunition were recovered at the scene, while a fourth suspect who fled on foot was later tracked down and arrested. Police also seized a state vehicle that may have been used in the crime.
The suspects, aged between 30 and 42, face charges including attempted hijacking, robbery with a firearm, attempted murder, and unlawful possession of weapons. They are due to appear in court on Monday.
Provincial police leadership condemned the incident, saying it was a disgrace for a law enforcement officer to be involved in crime. They emphasized that SAPS will not tolerate members engaging in criminal activity.