Off‑duty POP officer and civilian shot dead in Tsakane, police investigate

An off‑duty Gauteng Public Order Policing (POP) member and a civilian were shot dead on Monday night in Tsakane, police said, after an attack near a local supermarket and a separate shooting a short distance away.

What happened

Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the POP member was off duty when he was attacked by three unknown men while at a local supermarket. The suspects then moved to a nearby street and shot another man inside his vehicle, Nevhuhulwi said.

Police response and investigation

The motive for the shootings is unknown, Nevhuhulwi said, and police investigations are under way. She urged members of the public to report criminal activity to the Crime Stop line at 08600 10111 or anonymously via the MySAPS app, adding that “all information received will be treated as strictly confidential.”

Statement from provincial police leadership

Gauteng provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni expressed condolences to the families and colleagues of the slain POP member and the civilian, and voiced concern about the killing of the officer.

“An attack on a police officer is tantamount to an attack on the State.”

Mthombeni said police will investigate and work to find those responsible and that he had mobilised resources, “working together with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation to ensure that those who committed this barbaric act are brought to book.”

Appeal to the community

Mthombeni urged communities to cooperate with law enforcement to help fight crime. Nevhuhulwi reiterated contact channels for reporting information to assist the investigation.