Nelspruit: 12 May 2023Â – A 43-year-old Police Sergeant was lucky to be alive when attacked by three gunmen on his way to work this morning, Friday 12 May 2023.
According to the report, the police officer who was supposed to report for the morning shift at Pienaar SAPS, was allegedly attacked at Msogwaba, Tinkhomeni next to a certain spaza shop at about 05h00 am.
He allegedly met his attackers whilst walking to the main road to get his transport. It is said that when approaching the main road, three suspects accosted him, pointing him with the firearm. He allegedly warned them not to shoot, but one of the suspects is said to have cocked a firearm before firing a shot, of which he, fortunately, missed the member. That was when the Sergeant retaliated and shot at the alleged gunman.
The three suspects then fled but due to the power that went off at that moment, the member could no longer see where the three disappeared into. He then called for backup and on the arrival of other members, a search for the suspects ensued. It was during this period when a male person was found not far from the scene, with a firearm in his hand as well a knife in his pocket. The gunman was certified dead by medical practitioners at the scene. The deceased is not yet identified.
The other two suspects are still at large. Further than that, at the scene members reportedly discovered an abandoned bag with sound protectors as well as work suits inside. An attempted murder case with a charge of inquest is currently being investigated. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) will be probing the shootout.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has strongly condemned an attack on police officers and calls upon community members to assist in locating the other two suspects.
