The police in Gauteng have launched a manhunt for two suspects after a 41-year-old Hawks sergeant was fatally shot in Mamelodi, Pretoria, during an operation.

The sergeant, Leka Maja, was killed during the tracing of illegal firearms on Thursday.

“Three suspects were also fatally shot in the incident in the far east of Mamelodi,” says Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.

The tactical members were approaching a shack in the Lusaka informal settlement, where high-calibre rifles were reportedly kept, when the suspects opened fire on them and a shootout ensued.

Mathe says four pistols and three rifles were seized.

Maja was part of the tactical operations management section with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and had 14 years’ service.

The national head of the Hawks, Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya, expressed his heartfelt sadness at the loss of such a dedicated member.

“The proliferation of illegal firearms in our communities is resulting not only in the loss of innocent lives, but also robs us of police officers who have sworn to defend this country and its inhabitants,” says Lebeya.

The national police commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, says a war has been declared against criminals who attack and kill police.

“We cannot let the criminals rule, we will fight this war to regain the community’s trust,” Masemola adds.