Zwelitsha – Three suspects linked to the killing of two police officers have been fatally wounded, and two others have been arrested.
Police Warrant Officer, 51-year-old Thando Magoxo from the Mthatha National Intervention Unit, and 30-year-old Constable Ntlahla Tyhali, from Public Order Policing, were murdered in the early hours of Friday, 18 September 2026.
The police officers were killed while responding to a call for help during an armed robbery at a spaza shop at Ziphunzana Location, Libode, near Mthatha in the Eastern Cape.
The armed robbers fatally shot the police officers and stole their service pistols.
Soon after the robbery and murder of the officers, the police activated a 72-hour plan to trace and arrest the perpetrators.
Narrating events leading to the arrests, police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said that, following a tip-off, law enforcers, including Mthatha K9, swooped on Ngolo Location, Sibangweni, on Friday 18 September 2026.
“Two suspects, a 29-year-old female and a 29-year-old male, were arrested after being found in possession of an AK47 rifle and assorted ammunition,” said Brigadier Gantana.
The arrested pair faces charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
“Later that night, at about 23:55, NIU members followed information that one of the suspects was along the N2 at Sibangweni Location, Libode, towards Tsolo,” Brigadier Gantana further narrated.
“On arrival, the suspect allegedly opened fire on police.
“Police returned fire, and the suspect, a 35-year-old male, was fatally wounded.
“A pistol with three rounds of ammunition was recovered.”
Brigadier Gantana said follow-up operations led to two other male suspects, also linked to the murder of the police officers, being fatally wounded at Ngolo village, Libode.
“Two handguns were recovered from them. This brings the total number of suspects fatally wounded to three,” the police spokesperson said.
“In total, one AK47 rifle and three handguns have been recovered in connection with the case.
“Charges including attack on police, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, and an inquest docket are being investigated.
“The Independent Police Investigative Directorate attended the scenes.”
Commenting on the matter, Eastern Cape South African Police Service Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata said: “We commend our teams, who have worked tirelessly to ensure this breakthrough.
“Through swift, intelligence-driven operations, two suspects have been arrested, and three others linked to this crime were fatally wounded during confrontations with police.
“We will not rest until every remaining role player is held accountable and the full might of the law takes its course.
“We send our deepest condolences to their families and colleagues, and we will support them through this difficult time.”
