By Everson Luhanga
- Two Ivory Park police officers were shot dead by three gunmen during a Friday night patrol at a local spaza and tavern, who also stole their mobile phones and guns.
- Gauteng senior police officials visited the scene and urged residents to share any information that could help catch the three men who attacked the officers.
Two police officers were shot and killed in cold blood while on patrol in Ivory Park on Friday night.
The attack happened just after 7.30pm in a busy part of Ivory Park Extension 9, an area known as Ema 9, where the streets are packed with small shops and taverns.
The officers were doing a routine patrol when three men walked up to them and opened fire without warning. One officer was shot inside the police van. The other was gunned down inside a nearby spaza. Both officers died at the scene.
The officers were a constable and a sergeant based at the Ivory Park Police Station.
After the shooting, the attackers stole both officers’ mobile phones, two service pistols and a rifle before disappearing into the night.
Police described the killing as a brutal and shocking attack on officers who were doing their job serving the community.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting. He was joined by several senior officers and spoke to detectives as well as visibly shaken members of the police who had gathered outside the spaza shop. He offered condolences to the families and colleagues of the two officers.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the South African Police Service had launched a massive manhunt for the suspects. She said specialist units had been deployed to assist with the investigation. “We will not rest until the suspects are found,” said Brigadier Mathe.
Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko also appealed to the public for help. She said residents may have seen the suspects fleeing and urged anyone with information to come forward. “Anything you saw or heard could help in the investigation,” she said.
Police have asked anyone with information to contact the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. Tips can also be sent anonymously using the MySAPS app. Police have promised that all information will be treated as confidential.
Pictured above: The crime scene where two police officers were shot and killed in Ivory Park, Johannesburg
mage source: Mfanelo Dzanibe
