Lieutenant killed by illegal miners
Lieutenant killed by illegal miners in Germiston.
The EMPD condemned the killing of its tracing unit commander, holding the rank of a lieutenant colonel, by alleged illegal miners in Primrose in the early hours of June 22.
Kelebogile Thepa, the spokesperson of the EMPD, stated, “It was shortly after 06:00 on June 22 when the unit received a tip-off about illicit mining being conducted around the Primrose vicinity.
“The unit responded swiftly to the tip-off and upon arrival, it was met with a hail of bullets directed at them, coming from the mining trenches. The commander got caught in the firing line and succumbed to his injuries on the scene.”
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Thepa said the suspects were apprehended and detained at the Primrose SAPS. They face murder charges, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and illegal mining.
The MMC for Community Safety, Frans Mmoko, expressed his condolences to the family and colleagues of one of the dedicated officers.
“The lieutenant was committed to fighting criminality at all costs. The EMPD will intensify the fight against crime, and call upon the community at large to join hands in the fight against crime,” said Mmoko.
More details regarding the funeral arrangements will be released by the EMPD.
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Marietta Lombard (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, or (Journalists) Busi Vilakazi busiv@caxton.co.za
