A constable of White River SAPS was shot and killed yesterday night after he and his family were robbed at gunpoint in their home in Kabokweni.
According to provincial spokesperson, Brig Selvy Mohlala, const Sithembiso Manzini, his wife and two children were sitting outside their house around 20:00 when they were approached by two armed men.
The suspects allegedly forced the family inside the house at gunpoint and one demanded that Manzini hand over his service firearm.
The constable told them it was in a safe in his bedroom and led them there. He managed to grab the firearm and both parties fired shots. The constable and one of the suspects were hit and collapsed on the floor.
The injured suspect was dragged out of the house by his accomplice and left there. The accomplice fled with three firearms, which included the constable’s firearm.
Both the constable and the suspect, who has been identified as a resident of Pienaar, were declared dead on the scene. None of Manzini’s family members were injured.
A case of murder is being investigated and a manhunt for the suspect that escaped has been launched.
Provincial Commission Lt Gen Mark Magadlela, expressed his sadness regarding this recent loss of yet another police official at the prime of his career, who had to die protecting his family.
“Preliminary investigations suggest that this member died because these criminals wanted to rob him of his service pistol. We would like to send our deepest condolences to Manzini’s family, relatives and friends. To his colleagues, Manzini died fighting crime and protecting his family and we owe it to him to continue fighting crime without fear,” a press release regarding the case stated.
