The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili has commended the community of Mabopane for taking a unified stand against crime, violence and disregard for the law.
The sentiments shared by the Acting Police Commissioner comes after an attack on two off-duty police officers at their homestead in Mabopane.
Just after midnight in the early hours of Sunday morning, the family was accosted by three males where they were robbed of their belongings.
During the ordeal, one suspect and Sergeant Tumelo Losaba were fatally wounded.
A manhunt has since been launched for the second suspect who drove off in a Grey Audi A3.
The third suspect ran away on foot but the brave community of Mabopane came out in their numbers and gave chase, apprehending the 32-year-old suspect.
The suspect has been arrested and will be charged with murder and house robbery.
While the Acting National Police Commissioner has condemned the incident, she says all resources have been mobilised and a manhunt has been launched to arrest the remaining suspect.
“We have mobilised all our resources to track down the remaining suspect. We also would like to thank the community of Mabopane for being active citizens in the fight against crime, the safety and security of our members on and off duty remains a priority for the SAPS and such management continues to review its policies and strategies in place to enhance police safety”, said Lt Gen Mosikili.
Psychologists and Chaplains from the Service’s Employee Health and Wellness (EHW) Unit have been dispatched to provide psychosocial services to the family.
Members of the public are once again reminded of their pivotal role in assisting the police in clamping down on criminality. The SAPS thus continues to encourage communities to take an active role in the Community Police Forum (CPF) structures in their respective communities.
Members of the public are also reminded that in South Africa, any citizen is allowed to effect a citizens arrest. To carry out a citizens arrest, the crime must have happened in your presence or having a reasonable suspicion that the suspect may have committed a crime. The intent of the citizens arrest must be to hand over the suspect to the police.
At the time of his death, the 41-year-old member was attached to the Rapid Rail Police Unit at the Mabopane Corridor.
The SAPS sends its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late member and wishes all affected comfort. The Acting National Commissioner will later this afternoon at around 14:00 visit the crime scene.
