A REWARD of R100 000 has been offered following the brutal slaying of a JMPD officer during a hijacking in Booysens on Tuesday, February 13.
City of Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba said one officer down was one too many, and they were offering the substantial reward to anyone with information that leads to the arrest of the men responsible for officer David Ratshikhopha’s senseless death.
Read: UPDATE: JMPD officer succumbs to his head injuries
Mashaba was speaking during a memorial service for the fallen officer on February 15.
Ratshikhopha was gunned down after an unconfirmed number of men opened fire while attempting to flee with a minibus.
Ratshikhopha heroically intervened and the suspects shot at him about five times, wounding him in the side of the head.
He was transported to Milpark Hospital where he later died.
Read: Hijackers shoot JMPD officer in Booysens
Mashaba offered his deepest condolences to the family. He said judging by Ratshikhopha’s actions he was a courageous man who upheld justice and the rule of law.
He said he was deeply saddened by the number of memorial services he had to attend, as each one meant that families had lost another loved one and the city was short of another dedicated officer.
MMC for Public Safety Michael Sun said he had “been here” once too many times.
“It gets harder and harder,” said Sun.
“Let God have mercy on the JMPD.”
Sun said he often saw officers in the rain and in the scorching sun while on duty, and it saddened him that they dedicated themselves to their work without receiving any recognition.
He said Ratshikhopha was a hero as he chose to stand up against lawlessness.
“We will leave no stone unturned, and the culprits will pay dearly,” said Sun.
It was an emotional day for the public safety officers. The rain added to the sombre mood at the memorial service. An army of officers dipped their heads in prayer as they saluted and said goodbye to one of their own.
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