An off-duty police officer was shot and killed and another injured when they were attacked by three armed suspects in Umthwalume, south KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday night.
Police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said “two off-duty policemen stationed at Msinsini were seated outside their place of residence, when they were accosted by three suspects armed with pistols”.
Gwala said the suspects demanded the firearm’s safe keys and fired shots at the two police officers.
“Constable Siyabonga Mbele, 28, sustained gunshot wounds to the chest, stomach and left thigh and died at the scene while the other member escaped unharmed.
“The suspects took six cellphones, two State firearms, an Opel Astra vehicle and fled the scene. The vehicle was later recovered in Umlazi M-section,” said Gwala.
Charges of murder, attempted murder and armed robbery are being investigated by Hibberdene SAPS.
Police were appealing to anyone who might have information on the whereabouts of the suspects to immediately contact the local police or our Crime Stop number on 08600 10111.
KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa, condemned the attack on the police officers. “We will not rest until we find those responsible for the murder. My condolences to the family and I want to assure them that we will do everything in our power to arrest the suspects which will bring the family to closure,” he said.
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