Ermelo – Five suspects – among them a former policeman – arrested for the fatal shooting of a senior police officer will appear in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court, Mpumalanga on Monday, (20 January 2025).
Fifty-nine-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius, the commander of the Vehicle Identification Unit in Ermelo was shot at by assailants while driving a car on Thursday afternoon, (16 January 2025).
Lieutenant Colonel Pretorius, who was wounded in the attack, succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
A police manhunt led to the swift arrest of five suspects in Mbombela (Nelspruit).
Commenting on the arrests, Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said an ex-police officer was among the suspects.
“Five suspects, four males including a former police official and one female are expected to make their first court appearance in Ermelo on Monday,” said Lieutenant Colonel Nkosi.
“The suspects were arrested in Nelspruit after they fatally shot Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius, who was attached to the Ermelo Vehicle Investigation Unit.”
Lieutenant Colonel Nkosi added: “Circumstances surrounding this incident are still sketchy at this stage and more details will be shared at a later stage, however, it is reported that Lieutenant Colonel Pretorius was driving in an official vehicle when he was shot.
“The vehicle was riddled with bullet holes.
“After the shooting, the assailant allegedly got into a white sedan then fled the scene.”
Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie, hailed the swift arrest of the suspects, which was carried out a day after the murder.
“We are happy with the progress made so far with the apprehension of the five suspects,” said MEC Macie.
“We are encouraged by men and women in blue for the hard work they have put in this and many other cases.
“Being a law enforcement officer, one naturally becomes the enemy of criminals.
“Therefore, we want our police to protect each other and remain vigilant at all times. They should not be deterred by criminals.”
