On the night of 2 october 2019, two police officers, a male sergeant and a female constable were shot and killed during a shootout with other SAPS members.
A team comprising of members from Crime Intelligence, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks), the National Intervention Unit and others were conducting operations to address crime patterns in the areas of Dalton, Greytown and Wartburg.
At about 02:30 the team was on a road between Greytown and Dalton when they spotted a police patrol vehicle approaching them in the vicinity of Seven Oaks area. The team tried to flag down the police patrol vehicle but instead of stopping the sergeant from the patrol vehicle allegedly opened fire on the team, which had to return fire.
Both police officers in the patrol vehicle were killed. An angle grinder, jack hammer and other implements as well as ink-stained cash were found inside the patrol vehicle. It is believed that the cash may have been stolen from the Dalton Post Office earlier in the night.
The National Commissioner of Police, General Khehla John Sitole has expressed utter disappointment in the alleged involvement of police in crime. “The involvement of police officers in criminal activities will never be tolerated,” said General Sitole.
“I have instructed the Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu Natal to ensure that this matter be thoroughly investigated and all persons involved, including police officers, must be brought to book “, added General Sitole.
We appeal to anyone who has any information on crime to contact the SAPS Crime Stop number 086 00 10111. Callers may remain anonymous and all information will be treated with strictest confidence.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
