A police officer shot a suspect who charged at him with a knife in Ermelo on 17 December.

According to information received from the police, the officer was called by a neighbour who heard glass breaking at the officer’s house and found it suspicious.

The policeman was on duty and could not immediately attend to the scene.

The neighbour called the officer again and said something seemed off.

Shortly thereafter, the policeman rushed to his house and saw a person leaving the yard.

He discovered the back window of one of his vehicles was broken.

He then followed the person and confronted him.

The man said he was looking for a Mr Mkhonza so the officer escorted him to Mr Mkhona’s house, however, Mr Mkhonza did not know the man.

Capt Carla Prinsloo, the spokesman for Ermelo Police, said: “Upon leaving the house, the suspect was walking in front of the police member and suddenly turned and charged at the officer with a knife in his hand.”

The policeman fired one shot and killed the suspect.

Capt Prinsloo said: “Two knives and two cell phones were found in the deceased’s possession.”

Information from police indicates that one of the phones was stolen earlier that evening.

A case of murder was opened and is being investigated.