Pienaar – Off-duty police constable, 34-year-old Donald Mathebula, was shot dead by assailants wearing balaclavas on Friday, (6 June 2025).
Mpumalanga police have launched a manhunt for suspects who fatally shot one of their own under the cover of darkness in Pienaar, near Mbombela, Mpumalanga.
Narrating events leading to the deadly shooting, Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said police were alerted about the incident and rushed to the scene.
“Upon arrival at the scene, they found a member inside his private vehicle in uniform, and the member was rushed to the hospital, and he was declared dead on arrival,” said Lieutenant Colonel Ndubane.
“Preliminary investigation suggested that the deceased stopped at a certain tuckshop when three suspects armed with firearms and wearing balaclavas approached and shot him.
“The member drove his vehicle in an attempt to flee… the vehicle lost control [and crashed]”
Lieutenant Colonel Ndubane added: “The vehicle had bullet holes at the rear side and right side of the window.
“Nothing was taken.”
Meanwhile, Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison Jackie Macie, has urged police to work tirelessly and bring the perpetrators to book.
“In honouring the memory of the deceased and many other members who have lost their lives to criminals, the police must urgently arrest the suspects,”‘ said MEC Macie.
“Members must remain relentless in their efforts to serve and protect communities.
“They should not be deterred by attacks on their colleagues.
“Those who attack law enforcement officers, whether on or off duty, are attacking the state, and therefore such individuals must be harshly punished.”
