An off-duty South African Police Services (SAPS) Sergeant allegedly participating in a robbery was killed in a shootout with police.
The 42-year-old police officer was stationed at Madeira SAPS in the OR Tambo District in the Eastern Cape.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli said it alleged on Sunday at around 4pm, members from Mthatha police received information about armed suspects in the area of Mqanduli.
“The suspects were traced and located at the bottle store in Dobe location, Mqanduli.
“It is further alleged that when the suspects spotted the police, they started running in different directions, but one suspect who was at the entrance of the bottle store opened fire.
“Police retaliated by returning fire.”
Nkohli said a 42-year-old man was fatally wounded while other suspects managed to flee.
“A preliminary investigation revealed that the man was an off-duty police Sergeant.”
Police also recovered an unlicensed revolver that was stolen in Hillbrow in 2021.
In June this year, a Gauteng cop was among nine people following a brazen robbery at a Mr Price store in Delmas.
Police said the robbers made of with cellphones and cash.
Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said the suspects were tracked to a safe house in Springs, Ekurhuleni, where they were taken into custody.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni said police would continue to get rid of rotten apples within its ranks as they dent the good work that is done by committed police officers on a daily basis.
IOL News