Police in Mpumalanga have cast their net wide in search of suspects who shot and killed Sergeant Vusi Siwela.
Thirty-eight-year-old Siwela was attacked in Nelspruit by unknown assailants early on Monday morning.
At the time of the attack, according to police, Siwela and a colleague were attending to a business robbery in progress at Masoyi outside White River.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said: “They were attending to a business burglary when they were attacked in the early hours of today [Monday].
“The other member was rushed to the hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds.”
According to police reports, police at Masoyi responded to a tip-off that a supermarket was being broken into by armed suspects.
“After obtaining information about the burglary, the two members rushed to the scene where they were confronted by armed suspects who opened fire on them,” said Mohlala.
“It was during this time that the two members were shot. Sadly, Sergeant Siwela succumbed to gunshot wounds while his colleague sustained some injuries.”
It was later established that the suspects gained entry into the supermarket after detonating explosives, tearing its door apart.
An undisclosed amount of cash and cigarettes were stolen during the robbery.
Siwela was stationed at Masoyi as a member of the visible policing unit.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Semakaleng Manamela has since extended her condolences to the family of Siwela and wished a speedy recovery to the injured police officer.
She vowed to bring the suspects to book.
“We are concerned about the incidents of police killings in the province. The public should remember that these members are assigned to protect them,” said Manamela.
“The killing of police officials undermines efforts by government to prevent, combat and investigate crime.
“We therefore urge members of the public to help us put these perpetrators where they belong before it’s too late.”
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