While the Acting Provincial Commissioner, Maj Gen Zithulele Dladla has called for swift action for the arrest of suspects involved in the fatal killing of an off duty police officer in Port St Johns on Friday, 24 March 2023, he also expressed his concern and empathy towards another police officer who was brutally attacked this morning, 26 March 2023 as she left for work.
In the first incident, it is alleged that on Friday 24 March 2023 at about 14:15, off duty Sergeant Vuyolethu Madala, aged 39 years visited a local bottle store/tavern at Kwa Ntsila locality in Tombo in Port St Johns.
As he exited the liquor establishment, two males followed him outside and fired several shots at him from behind. The suspects then got into a white bakkie with no registration plates and drove off.
He was rushed to the nearby clinic where he passed away on arrival.
Police are investigating a case of murder and the motive for the fatal killing is not yet known.
In another unrelated incident, a 43-year-old female Sergeant, stationed at SAPS Grahamstown was brutally attacked as she left her police living quarters to report on duty on the morning of 26 March 2023.
It is alleged that at about 05:40 the Sergeant was attacked by her ex-boyfriend (suspect) who ambushed her on the stairs and attacked her with a hammer. She received repeated blows to her head and hands. As she attempted to run back to her room, the suspect managed to pull her firearm and fired a shot at her.
The suspect ran off with her firearm.
The injured Sergeant was admitted in hospital with serious injuries sustained from the assault. It was later established that she did not sustain any gunshot wounds.
Police immediately launched a manhunt for the suspect and he was found dead in Orgley Street in Grahamstown. He allegedly shot and killed himself. An inquest docket was opened.
Cases of attempted murder, attack on police and theft of firearm was also opened for investigation.
Maj Gen Dladla stated that such brutal attacks on our men and women in blue must not be tolerated and he has instructed the speedy arrest of the murder suspects. ‘Our thoughts and prayers are extended to the families of both victims and we wish our injured colleague a speedy recovery. We are appealing to everyone on all levels of society to stand together with the police to stop these ruthless attacks. The high number of Gender Based Violence cases in our communities including within our organisation sounds a clarion call for everyone to ensure that the most vulnerable do not suffer abuse or violence and for people to come forward and report such abuse or threat of physical violence,’ added Maj Gen Dladla.
