LIMPOPO – According to Lt Col Moatshe Ngoepe, the Lt. Colonel, attached to the Thohoyandou Vehicle Investigation Services, arrived home from work, on Sunday night, 8 October, when he was attacked, shot and killed by two unknown suspects and the state vehicle which he was travelling with, was stolen.
Police were summoned, mobilised other stations and the public order police and reacted swiftly by following the suspects.
“While the manhunt ensued, reports were received that the same suspects attacked security guards from Mpheni clinic, Watervaal clinic, Mbhokota clinic and Bungeni health center where four firearms were robbed from each security guard,” Ngoepe explained.
In the early hours of Monday morning, 9 October, the same suspects were spotted near the University of Venda.
“They were immediately pursued and a motor vehicle chase ensued. During the chase, cross fire between the police and the suspects broke out and a Constable, attached to the Public Order Police, was shot and seriously injured,” said Ngoepe.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lt General Nneke Ledwaba has condemned the attacks and has established a special task team, composed of crime intelligence as well as provincial and local detectives, who are pursuing the suspects.
“The attack on police officers, is an attack to the state. The Saps cannot afford to lose members due to acts of criminals who want to turn this province into a banana place and as such, we are going to leave no stone un-turned until everybody involved in this chain of incidents is brought to book,” concluded General Ledwaba.
Anyone with information about the suspects involved are urged to contact Captain Mashamaite at 0716759928; the nearest police station; the crime stop number 0860010111 or the crime line sms 32211.
