Residents of Mabopane in Pretoria assisted in apprehending one of three suspects who attacked two off-duty police officers.

The two officers were at one of the officers’ homes in Mabopane when, just after midnight on Saturday, the family was accosted by three men.

According to police spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe, the off-duty officers were robbed of their belongings.

“During the ordeal, one suspect and Sergeant Tumelo Losaba were fatally wounded,” Mathe said and added police were alerted and a manhunt was launched.

She said one suspect fled the scene in a grey Audi A3, while another ran away on foot. However, brave community members in Mabopane came out in their numbers and gave chase, apprehending a 32-year-old suspect.

The suspect was arrested and will be charged with murder and house robbery.

The acting national police commissioner, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, commended the community of Mabopane for taking a unified stance against crime, violence and disregard for the law.

She also expressed her condolences. “The SAPS sends its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late member and wishes comfort to all affected,” she said.

Mosikili added that, at the time of his death, the 41-year-old Losaba was attached to the Rapid Rail Police Unit at the Mabopane Corridor.

Mosikili said all available resources had been mobilised and that a manhunt continues for the remaining suspects.

“We would like to thank the community of Mabopane for being active citizens in the fight against crime. The safety and security of our members on and off duty remains a priority for the SAPS and as such, management continues to review its policies and strategies in place to enhance police safety,” she explained.

Psychologists and chaplains from the service’s Employee Health and Wellness Unit have been dispatched to provide psychosocial services to the family.

Mosikili reminded residents of their pivotal role in assisting the police in clamping down on criminality.

“The SAPS thus continues to encourage communities to take an active role in the community policing forum  structures in their respective communities,” she said.

“Members of the public are also reminded that in South Africa, any citizen is allowed to effect a citizen’s arrest.”

“To carry out a citizen’s arrest, the crime must have happened in your presence or you must have a reasonable suspicion that the suspect may have committed a crime.”

Mosikili said the intent of a citizen’s arrest was to hand over the suspect to the police.