The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has expressed deep sorrow over the brutal attack that left one of its National Traffic Police officers dead and another injured.
The attack is said to have taken place on Sunday when the officers, who were on duty near Diepsloot in Johannesburg, went to get food at a nearby filling station.
“It is believed that a crime was in progress when the officers unknowingly drove into the filling station,” said RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane.
“They came under fire from the criminals, and one [officer] was fatally wounded and died at the scene while the other suffered severe injuries and had to be airlifted to the hospital.”
Zwane said the RTMC has since sent condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased officer.
“We pray for speedy and full recovery of the injured officer. The RTMC will provide psychosocial support to the affected families,” he said.
“Counselling will also be extended to other National Traffic Police officers.”
Meanwhile, Hawks boss Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya is saddened that more than two dozen police officers were killed in the first quarter of 2023.
Addressing a media briefing on Monday, Lebeya announced that a total of 31 police officers were killed in almost as many incidents during the period under review.
“Attacks on police officials are an attack on the state, and the death of one police official is one too many,” he said.
“For the first quarter only, we noted with concern that 31 police officials were killed in 30 incidents.”
He said during the period under review, 24 arrests were made and nine convictions secured.
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