The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has send condolences to the family of a Police Constable, identified as Mzwandile Innocent Mthana (34) who died in the line of duty after being shot whilst attending a burglary business in progress at Kabokweni. The sad incident occurred in the early hours of this morning, Friday 28 July 2023 at about 01h00 am.
A report by the Police indicates that members of the SAPS at Kabokweni responded to a call, where a tuckshop in Edwaleni was broken into by armed suspects. When they arrived at the crime scene, about six suspects fired shots at the police. The members retaliated, however the Police Constable was shot and unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. One of the suspects, aged 32 was also killed during the crossfire.
It was later established that the suspects gained entry to the tuckshop after digging a wall.
Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspects managed to get away with cigarettes as well as an undisclosed amount of cash.
The slain member was stationed at Kabokweni Visible Policing at the time.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela and the Provincial Management are saddened by the member’s untimely death. The General further vowed that Police will continue to hunt for his killers and will not leave any stone unturned. “An attack on police officers will never be tolerated as it is considered as a direct attack to the state. The perpetrators should know that Police are on their heels and they will never find peace as they will be hunted down and be brought to justice, “vowed the General.