Gauteng: Police have launched a manhunt for a group of suspects following the fatal shooting of an off-duty police officer in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni on Wednesday, 21 March 2019.
Preliminary information reveals that the wife and daughter of the deceased officer fell victim to a robbery inside a store during which time the store owner activated the security alarm. The daughter managed to run out of the store to alert her father (the policeman) who had parked his vehicle close to the entrance. In response to the alarm and the daughter's cry, the deceased allegedly ran into the store and was then shot at from behind by the suspects.
The Warrant Officer whose identity cannot be disclosed publicly at this stage, was certified dead on the scene. No other injuries were reported.
Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, has urged police to work around the clock and ensure that the suspects are found and brought to book. Police will therefore, with immediate effect mobilise all necessary resources to implement the 72-hour Activation Plan towards the apprehension of the suspects.
"On behalf of management and employees of the South African Police Service in the province, let me extend our heartfelt sympathy to the wife and daughter who had to witness this tragic loss of life of their husband and father. Condolences to his entire family and all those close to him, too. We will do everything in our power to find the suspects and they will face the full might of the law," said General Mawela on learning of the death of the officer.
Anyone who might have witnessed the incident or seen any suspicious persons in that vicinity, is urged to contact Vosloorus police or call the Crime Stop number 08600 10111.