Two Boksburg North police officers who were waiting for a mortuary van at the scene of an unnatural death, were shot and killed by three men last night. The national police commissioner has sent his condolences to the deceased’s families and vowed that they ‘will not rest’ until the cop killers are found.

According to national SAPS spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe, the victims were a 29-year-old constable who has been with the police for three years and 45-year-old sergeant with 18 years’ service.

The incident happened at around 21:45 on the corner of Main Reef and Field roads in Lilianton.

“The suspects fled the scene on foot and took the officers’ service pistols and bulletproof vests,” Mathe says.

The national commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, has called on all South Africans to work with the police to end the senseless attacks and murders of police officers.

“All role players have been activated and a manhunt is underway to apprehend those who are behind the attack, as well as the recovery of the two-state firearms and two bulletproof vests.

“The killing of police officers in the line of duty and for their service pistols undermines the authority of the State and the proper functioning of the criminal justice system.

“While we review our police safety strategy and plan, we are calling for greater cooperation with our citizens to put an end to such incidents collectively.

“We believe that such incidents can be prevented. We will not rest until we find those behind the attack and killing of police officers. My deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the two members,” says Masemola.

Anyone with information that can help the police arrest the culprits should contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or download the MySAPS App.

Information will be treated with confidentiality.

The Boksburg Advertiser is awaiting a response from the police on several unconfirmed reports related to the incident, including that the suspects fired randomly while fleeing the scene and wounded residents of the informal settlement.