National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola visited the grieving families of two police officers who were brutally killed in the line of duty while transporting an awaiting-trial prisoner in Roodepoort on Friday.
The officers were ambushed while returning suspect Jabulani Moyo from court to the Boksburg prison. According to Commissioner Masemola, the attack occurred after the officers made two unexplained stops—one of which turned deadly when Moyo allegedly opened fire from inside their sedan.
A Tragic Attack on Law Enforcement
Speaking to the media, Masemola revealed chilling details of the incident, stating that Moyo shot both officers inside the vehicle before stepping out and firing again, ensuring their deaths. The keys to the officers’ leg irons were later found on the street, raising questions about how the prisoner gained access to a firearm.
“This is not just an attack on the police; it is an attack on the authority of the state,” Masemola declared, emphasizing that three SAPS members had been killed in the past 24 hours alone. Since April 2025, 27 officers have died in the line of duty, with six falling victim to targeted attacks.
A Plea for Officer Safety
The Commissioner urged police officers to defend themselves when under threat, stating, “You have been trained—use your firearm when your life or another’s is in danger.” He stressed the need for proportional force but insisted that officers must not hesitate to protect themselves amid escalating violence against law enforcement.
Manhunt Underway
Authorities have launched a nationwide manhunt for Jabulani Moyo, with an integrated team from the Hawks, Crime Intelligence, and local detectives leading the investigation. Police are probing possible accomplices and the circumstances that allowed the prisoner to obtain a weapon.
As the SAPS mourns yet another devastating loss, Commissioner Masemola vowed that justice would prevail, calling for unity in the fight against criminals who “have declared war on the police.”
