Masoyi Police sergeant’s alleged shooter arrested

A man believed to be the person who had shot and injured a police officer near Masoyi last week, was arrested along with two other men on Wednesday September 22.

The three men were found in possession of six firearms, including hunting rifles. According to the police, a 37-year-old police sergeant was shot in Masoyi on Monday September 20 after he and his colleague had been called out to a robbery incident.

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Upon receiving information on the whereabouts of the suspect, these members followed up on the details and arrived at the place where the suspect was hiding. They were shot at, the sergeant sustained some injuries and the suspect fled the scene.

The injured officer was taken to hospital for treatment. A provincial police spokesperson, Col Donald Mdhluli, said police reports indicated that following the shooting, a 72-hour plan was immediately implemented by various role players within the provincial police to ensure that the suspect was brought to book.

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“Their efforts were not in vain, as they made a breakthrough when they arrested him in his hiding place at Matsulu in the afternoon of Wednesday September 22,” said Mdhluli.

“A firearm was also recovered during the arrest and will form part of the investigation. The suspect is due to appear in the KaBokweni Magistrate’s Court on Monday September 27, facing a charge of attempted murder, and the police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges against the suspect as the investigation continues.”

The provincial police commissioner, Lt Gen Semakaleng Manamela, reiterated that an attack on police officers or any officer of the law is an attack on the rule of law and the state. She further indicated that the suspects should be brought to book soon, and that their attempts would not deter the police’s crime-fighting efforts.

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