A 38-year-old man was arrested for shooting and killing a male and female police officer of the Kimberley Flying Squad on Tuesday, 22 August.
Police members and railway personnel were still silently observing from a distance where the forensics team was busy at the scene of the shooting, when the suspect was arrested by other police officials, apparently in the area of Riverton.
The two police officials, a sergeant and a constable, were following up on information about a hired sedan that was allegedly stolen and enroute from Bloemfontein, said Brig. Mashay Gamieldien, police spokesperson.
She said the vehicle was seen in Kimberley and the two members reacted when they spotted the vehicle.
The officers gave chase and followed the vehicle which drove at a high speed into the Transnet yard at approximately 10:40, where the suspect crashed the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
The members gave chase and were fired upon, which led to their fatal shooting.
The provincial commissioner, Lt. Gen. Koliswa Otola, activated and mobilised all police resources in search of the armed suspect who was fleeing the scene.
The suspect was seen running in the direction of the Diamond Pavilion Mall. The mall was soon swarming with armed police members, but the suspect could not be found.
Contrary to what has been published on social media platforms, no shooting took place in the mall.
It is said that the suspect in the meantime apparently hi-jacked a Transnet bakkie, after which he drove off in the direction of Riverton.
Otola is saddened and shocked by the fatal shooting of the two police members. She indicated that an attack on members is an attack on the state.
Otola conveyed her heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives, and colleagues of the two fallen members during a period when the country is celebrating and paying tribute to women who have left their footprint in history.
The suspect will be charged with murder and will appear in court soon.
