A Copwatch Reaction Officer was killed in a shootout with 8 robbers in Centurion on Saturday afternoon.

Copwatch Operations Manager Bertus Myburgh said they were saddened to have lost an officer in the line of duty.

“At around 16:44, we received a WhatsApp message from a community group in Clubview. The message read: Robbery at Clubview Spar.”

Myburgh said multiple security companies offered to respond to the call.

“We stood-off three minutes later,” he said.

He added that the officer, Ronald Isaac Mokumo, arrived at the Spar only to be met with what seemed like people peacefully shopping.

“Everything seemed normal. Clients were moving in and out and it did not seem from outside like there was a robbery going on.”

Myburgh said Mokumo then decided to go and investigate inside the Spar.

“He went to the kiosk and enquired if everything was okay and that’s when the woman teller showed with her eyes that a robbery was taking place.”

He said according to information, that’s when shooting started.

“The robbers shot at my guy and this led to him taking cover.”

He said the suspects fled. The officer ran out to give chase but collapsed as he had been shot.

He said multiple vehicles were used by the robbers to flee the scene.

One of the suspects was wounded and was loaded on to the back of one of the robbers’ vehicles.

Myburgh gave his condolences to the family of the Copwatch reaction officer.

Corné Brümmer, officer at private security company Copwatch, said Copwatch and the Centurion community had lost a dedicated officer.

“Many always say people are great, however Ronald was exceptional.
“He was straight-forward, honest and looking to assist, making jokes.
“I had never seen him down.

“I knew and worked with Ronald for over 5 years.”

He said the killing of Mokumo left a huge gap in the Clubview community as he was well known in the area he worked in.

“He was known by many for being the response officer in this area. When you drove past him, he would wave to ensure you see him and alert him that you are safe or well,” Brümmer added.

According to Brümmer, the suspects are still at large and fled with an undisclosed amount of money.

Police could not be reached for comment.

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