DURBAN - The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations Unit, known as the Hawks, have taken over the investigation of the killing of 28-year-old police officer, Constable Nkululeko Mhlungu, who was shot and killed on Saturday night.
Mhlungu was with other tenants where he was renting a room when he was sprayed with bullets and died on the scene at Savannah Park near Klaarwater, west of Durban.
Hawks spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal, Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo, told the Daily News on Monday that the unit has taken over the investigation and has started hunting down the killers.
“Yes, as normal procedure, the killing of police is investigated by us as Hawks, so we have started investigating the murder of Constable Mhlungu. All we know for now is that he was killed with a lot of bullets but the motive for the killing is not yet known,” said Mhlongo.
Police provincial spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele said Mhlungu was killed at Nxele Crescent in Savannah Park at about 8.50pm on Saturday night.
She said he was off duty and stationed at Chatsworth SAPS.
“It is alleged that an off-duty police officer stationed at Chatsworth was at his place of residence where he was renting a room. He was with other tenants chatting outside the yard.
“The unknown suspect who was in possession of a firearm started firing towards them without saying a word. The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene. A number of cartridges were found on the scene,” said Mbele.
She said the officer’s firearm was not taken and after the shooting a silver-grey Etios with an unknown registration number picked up the suspect and fled the scene.
Daily News