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Three suspects are expected to appear in court for the alleged murder of a police officer. Image: SAPS/ Facebook.
National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has commended a joint intelligence driven operation for the swift arrest of three men following the murder of a police officer on Christmas Day, 25 December 2022.
The suspects aged 30, 25 and 22 years of age were arrested during a raid on three identified premises in Kliptown on Friday, 30 December 2022.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) a preliminary investigation into the incident indicates that 41-year-old Sergeant Phillip Mathlaela was shot and killed while parked on a bridge in Kliptown. His body was then dumped into a river.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the motive of the attack and killing of the off-duty police officer is under investigation. The police officer’s belongings including two cellphones, his vehicle and its key were found on the scene ruling out robbery as a motive for the attack.
Police National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola has condemned the attack and killing of members both on and off duty and says police will continue to bring to book those behind the heinous attacks and killing of police officers.
The three men will be charged with murder and for being in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The trio will appear before the Kliptown Magistrates’ court on Tuesday, 2 January 2022.
Minister Bheki Cele presents fourth quarter crime statistics Police Minister Bheki Cele, presents the quarterly crime statistics, reflecting on crimes that occurred during the fourth quarter of the 2021/2022 financial year. This period covers crimes that happened from the 1st of January to the end of March 2022 [Photo: GCIS] In a separate incident, Lingelethu West police have launched an investigation after following the discovery of the body of a police officer in Lwandle, Strand on Sunday morning, 25 December.
The 33-year-old police constable who had worked until the early hours of Sunday morning had allegedly suffered stab and gunshot wounds. An injured man from Lwandle has been taken in for questioning regarding the incident.
