A 43-year-old Police Sergeant had a narrow escape when he was attacked by three gunmen on his way to work on the morning of Friday 12 May 2023.
According to the report, the police officer who was on his way to report for morning shift at Pienaar SAPS, was allegedly attacked at Msogwaba, Tinkhomeni next to a certain spaza shop at about 05:00.
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 load shedding at that moment, the member could no longer see where the three suspects 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 as a knife in his pocket.
The gunman was certified dead by medical practitioners at the scene. The deceased is not yet identified.
His two accomplices 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.
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