Pretoria – Two suspects have been arrested for the murder of 32-year-old SA Police Service (SAPS) Constable Siyabonga Thango, who was fatally shot while attempting to prevent a business robbery in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni.
Tragedy struck after Constable Thango and other crime prevention officers responded to reports of a business robbery in Vosloorus on Friday, (21 July 2023).
The crime prevention officers confronted the armed robbers who fired shots at them fatally wounding the constable.
Constable Thango had been with SAPS for five years when his life was callously cut short by armed robbers.
SAPS Spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said a police investigations team followed up on information on the whereabouts of the suspected cop-killers.
On Sunday, police officers swooped on them in Vosloorus, where a shootout ensued.
“Two suspects, aged 27 and 29, were arrested, and three firearms were recovered,” said Brigadier Mathe.
“The 27-year-old suspect later succumbed to his injuries in hospital.”
SAPS National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola commended the team investigating the murder of Constable Thango for the swift arrest of his suspected killers.
General Masemola said those behind the attacks and killing of police officers must receive the maximum prison sentence as these killings are an attack on the authority of the state.
“To Constable Thango, the South African Police Service flag does not move because the wind blows it, but because of the last breadth of members like you who died protecting it,” General Masemola said.
“Thank you for your bravery, loyalty, and the sacrifices you made to serve and protect the people of the Republic of South Africa.”
