SAPS has launched a manhunt for suspects who shot and killed a police constable and left other police officials injured during a business robbery in the early hours of today, July 15, on Mbizana Main Road.
According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa, the incident took place at a filling station in Mbizana CBD when the constable (35) and other police officials were driving from a crime scene in three different police vehicles.
She said that according to the information, the report suggests that the police members were coming from a crime scene at Esizityaneni locality outside Mbizana when they were ambushed by more than 20 suspects next to the filling station.
“The suspects then fired shots at the police officials who were in these vehicles, fatally wounding a constable while other police officials were injured.
“After the shootout, the suspects took the police firearms, attempted to explode the filling station safe without success, and fled the scene.
“Cases of murder, attempted murders and business robbery have been opened for investigation.
“Detectives from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as Hawks, will be investigating the case,” said Mawisa.
She added that the identity of the deceased constable will be released once his next of kin has been informed.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, assured that anyone disturbing peace and killing police who are protecting the communities would be arrested and prosecuted while she also castigates lawlessness and criminal insanity.
“The killing of the police official while serving the members of the community undermines the efforts by the state to combat and prevent crime,” she added.
