Hours after a suspected killer of a Mpumalanga police officer was arrested on Friday afternoon, June 6, another policeman was shot dead in Pienaar.

This brings the number of officers that have been fatally shot in the province since May 30 to two.

Constable Donald Mathebula (34) was shot and killed at Phakane in the crime-ridden settlement of Pienaar outside Mbombela on Friday night at about 21:00.

Mathebula was still in uniform when he stopped his vehicle at one of the local tuck shops where was accosted by three armed suspects.

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“They were wearing balaclavas when they shot at Mathebula. He managed to drive his vehicle in an attempt to flee the scene. He lost control of the vehicle, which then hit a wall and a tree before coming to a standstill,” said Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane.

She said nothing was stolen from Mathebula, but that there were bullet holes on the back of the vehicle and in the driver’s side window.

She said Mathebula was attached to the Pienaar SAPS and was in the Visible Policing Unit. He served in the SAPS for 10 years.

Lowvelder sent media enquiries to Ndubane. She could not say whether spent cartridges were found at the scene. She said she would provide more information as soon as it is available, but had not done so at the time of this publication.

Meanwhile, both the acting provincial police commissioner, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, and the MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Jackie Macie, have condemned the killings of police officers in Mpumalanga.

“Just a week ago, a police officer was fatally shot and now another. Anyone who attacks a police officer is directly attacking the state and will face the full might of the law,” warned Mkhwanazi.

Macie has called on the Pienaar community to help the SAPS find the suspects.

He requested the police spare no effort in ensuring that the suspects were swiftly brought to book to face the consequences of their violent actions.

In another recent incident, Constable Khulani Chabangu (29) was gunned down during a robbery at a barbershop in Lillydale, Bushbuckridge, on May 30.

“In honouring the memory of the deceased and many other officers who have lost their lives to criminals, the police must urgently arrest the suspects. Members must remain relentless in their efforts to serve and protect communities. They should not be deterred by attacks on their colleagues. Those who attack law enforcement officers, whether on- or off-duty, must be harshly punished,” Macie said.

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A 25-year-old suspect has since been arrested in connection with Chabangu’s killing. He was arrested in Mkhuhlu on Friday afternoon around 16:30.

The suspect was found with two cellphones, one of which was allegedly stolen during the attack.

A firearm believed to have been used to kill Chabangu was seized.

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“It was found with four live rounds of ammunition. Its serial numbers had been filed off. The findings were made in the house of the suspect’s friend who evaded arrest by disappearing into the residential area,” said Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Magonseni Nkosi.

He said the arrested suspect would appear before the Mkhuhlu Magistrate’s Court soon.