Police in Mpumalanga have launched a manhunt for suspects following the fatal shooting of an on duty police officer in Phakane, Pienaar, on Friday, 06 June 2025 at approximately 21:00.
According to reports, police were alerted about the shooting incident and upon arrival at the scene they found a member inside his private vehicle in uniform, and the member was rushed to the hospital, and he was declared dead on arrival.
Preliminary investigation suggested that the deceased stopped at a certain tuckshop when three suspects armed with firearms and wearing balaclavas approached and shot him. The member drove his vehicle in an attempt to flee. He was shot, the vehicle lost control ,hit the tree and wall as the result the vehicle came to standstill and nothing was taken. The vehicle had bullet holes at the rear side and right side of the window. The three suspects then fled the scene.
The deceased was identified as 34-year-old Constable Donald Mathebula, who was stationed at Pienaar SAPS, serving under the Visible Policing Unit. He had served the South African Police Service for ten years.
It is believed that Constable Mathebula was ambushed and fatally shot by the suspects while visiting the area. The motive of the attack is not known yet, and police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi has mobilised a 72-hour Activation Plan to ensure that all necessary resources are deployed to trace and arrest the perpetrators
Police are appealing to anyone with information that could assist in the arrest of the suspects to contact the nearest police station .Tip-offs can also be reported anonymously via Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or through the MYSAPS App. All information received will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
General Mkhwanazi strongly condemned the brutal killing stating that a week ago a police officer was fatally shot and now is another officer in a short space “Anyone who attacks a police officer is directly attacking the state and will face the full might of the law “