Two Vierfontein, Free State Sergeants, a male and a female reported for duty at 18:00 last night and were posted to perform crime prevention duties and to attend to complaints when they came under attack.
At approximately 21:05, the female member called the comander at the Community Service Centre telephonically and frantically reported that they were under attack and shot by at least three suspects.
The two sergeants had followed a suspicious vehicle from Vierfontein until at Road House in Orkney. The members alighted from the police vehicle to confront the suspects who also got out of their vehicle. They began arguing with the police officials before they opened fire on and subsequently disarmed them both of their official pistols, two magazines and ammunition.
The male sergeant died at the scene after sustaining a gunshot wound to his chest. The female sergeant was wounded in her leg and admitted to hospital where she is in a stable condition . Cases of Murder, Attempted Murder and Robbery of the State owned Firearms and ammunition have been opened for further investigation.
Police Mininster, General Bheki Cele has extended a word of condolence to the family and colleagues of the deceased member, and wished the wounded member a speedy recovery.
“Police must leave no stone unturned in ensuring that these criminals, who clearly have no regard for the laws of this Country, are found and get to face the full might of the law,” said Minister Cele, assuring the bereaved family of the police’s rapid response to the shooting incident.
The National Commissioner of Police, General Khehla John Sitole has ordered the mobilisation of the 72-hour Activation Plan of all the necessary disciplines including Crime Intelligence, the Hawks, Forensic Experts and SAPS Detectives to find those responsible and bring them to book. “This team must not rest until these ruthless criminals are all brought to book”, said General Sitole.
We appeal to anyone with information which can assist in the arrest and successful prosecution of the suspects in this case to please contact SAPS Crime Stop number 086 00 10111 or provide such information via MySAPSApp. All information will be treated with strictest confidence and callers may remain anonymous.
