Gauteng Police on Wednesday launched “the 72-hour activation plan” in a bid to apprehend those responsible for the murder of one police officer and the wounding of two others in separate incidents.
Recounting the attacks Colonel Athlenda Mathe said in the first incident on Tuesday, an off-duty police officer attached to the Orlando Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Investigations Unit was robbed of his service pistol by three males after being shot multiple times.
“The member sadly succumbed to his injuries on scene,” said Colonel Mathe.
This incident happened in Freedom Park in Soweto on Tuesday evening just after 22:00.
A case of murder and armed robbery have been registered and no arrests have been made as yet.
“the second incident, two members attached to the Pretoria Public Order Policing Unit were shot while on patrol in a police Nyala in Extension 6, Akasia last night,” said Colonel Mathe.
“The area was engulfed by unrests during the day due to evictions that were taking place.
“Both members were taken to a local hospital where they are receiving further medical treatment.”
Colonel Mathe said two front tyres of the police nyala [A multi-purpose armoured personnel carrier with anti-personnel mine, grenade, fire, bomb, and small arms fire protection] were damaged as a result of the shooting.
“A case of attempted murder and malicious damage to property have been registered. No arrests have been made thus far,” said Colonel Mathe.
“Police are reminding communities that they remain the eyes and ears of all law enforcement agencies and are pivotal to the reduction of crimes especially those that are serious and violent in nature.”
As many as 34 police officers in the South Africa were murdered between April 2020 and March 2021.
Colonel Mathe said the police were “calling for a heightened collaborative approach and cooperation between communities”.
Communities who may have information on both incidents are encouraged to call the Crime Stop Hotline Number on 086 00 10111 or download the MySaps App on any android or smartphone.
