Police in Mpumalanga have arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of murdering a police officer. (Alfonso Nkunjana/News24)
- Police in Mpumalanga have arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of murdering a police officer.
- The suspect and his accomplice allegedly shot and robbed a police officer, then fled the scene in a vehicle.
- The suspect allegedly abandoned the vehicle as police pursued them. He then opened a criminal case for hijacking.
Police have arrested a man on suspicion of murdering a police officer after a car hijacking involving a vehicle that allegedly fled from police.
Police said the 26-year-old man and his accomplice attacked an off-duty police officer and three women in a private car in Delmas, Mpumalanga, around 4:30pm on Tuesday.
An off-duty police officer was shot and killed, his service pistol and cash taken, and one of the passengers was injured.
Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgodi said police had received a report of the incident and a description of the vehicle the suspects were traveling in.
Mr Sekgodi said:
Police noticed the vehicle matched the description of the vehicle involved and attempted to stop it. Residents opened fire on police. Police returned fire and the suspects got out of the car and fled on foot, where they were never seen.
While investigating this matter, the Hawks received information that one of the suspects had gone to Daveyton Police Station in Gauteng to open a case of car hijacking, which he suggested occurred in Delmas. did.
“The Hawks proceeded with the investigation. A call was made to the suspect who was the complainant in the fake carjacking incident. Upon arrival at the Delmas Police Station, he was arrested and charged,” Sekgodi said, adding that more arrests were made. He added that the number is expected to increase.
The suspect is scheduled to appear in Delmas Magistrate Court on Monday on charges of murder, attempted murder and armed robbery.
