THE metro police have launched a massive manhunt for the killer of one of its officers.
The executive mayor of Ekurhuleni, Clr Mondi Gungubele, confirmed the search, expressing shock and strongly condemning the murder of one of the top metro police officers in the city, Maj Coert Jordaan (39), on Wednesday.
Jordaan, who was the head of the equestrian unit in Petit, was off-duty when he was killed during an armed robbery at Aston Lake in Springs.
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“This is sad because this incident happened on National Police Day, a day set aside to acknowledge the sacrifices of these men and women in the fight against lawlessness. They sacrifice their own safety for us to enjoy peace and order, and for this they must be celebrated and not murdered,” said Gungubele.
“Being a policeman is one of the most risky jobs in the world because every time you leave your house your life is threatened as danger follows you everywhere. In fact this is one of the jobs which leave your family with great uncertainty every time you are on the streets fighting ruthless criminals for they do not know whether you will return or not.
“Despite this though, we still have dedicated women and men who are still determined to carry out this grueling ask.”
While the responsibility to create a safe environment rests with communities, the police are still integral in maintaining law and order, safety and the security of our communities, he continued.
Gungubele has called on the community to work closely with the police to ensure that the thugs who brutally murdered Jordaan are apprehended. “I am sure someone somewhere knows something about this crime. Help us find these thugs and lock them up before another innocent soul is lost.”
Anyone with information can contact 08600 10111.
It is believed Jordaan of Brakpan was killed shortly after some of his colleagues left him where he was fishing at Aston Lake in Springs.
“It’s a very sad day for the EMPD, as we lost an important member of the Ekurhuleni Equestrian Unit,” said Lt Kobeli Mokheseng, acting EMPD spokesperson.
“The officer was on a day’s leave, fishing at Aston Lake on the outskirts of Springs, when he was attacked and robbed.”
Mokheseng said the incident occurred between 1.30pm and 2pm, as EMPD officers had seen their colleague at the lake at 1.30pm and the lake’s general maintenance worker discovered the body shortly after 2pm.
The officer was fatally wounded and robbed of his car, wallet, cellphone and firearm.
Another officer of the equestrian unit expressed sorrow at the loss of his colleague.
“He was a very close friend of mine. We started working together 20 years ago,” said the officer, whose name could not be mentioned due to the sensitive nature of his work and the investigation.
Jordaan is survived by his wife, Angelique (30) and his daughter, Klarebel (3).
It is still not clear whether Jordaan had been shot or stabbed. No arrests have been made.
