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Police offer R300 000 reward for information on the brutal killings of three officers

Police offer R300 000 reward for information on the brutal killings of three officers

IOL News3 days ago
Jabulani Moyo is alleged to have killed two police detectives in Roodepoort on Friday, August 8.
Jabulani Moyo is alleged to have killed two police detectives in Roodepoort on Friday, August 8.
This follows the brutal killings of Warrant Officer Vuyisile Sintwa and Sergeant Simon Masenya from the Johannesburg Trio Task Team, who were ambushed on August 8 while escorting awaiting-trial prisoner Jabulani Moyo from Roodepoort Magistrate's Court back to prison.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has announced two separate cash rewards of R150,000 each for information leading to the arrest of suspects responsible for the brutal killings of three police officers in two separate shootings over the weekend.
The SAPS seeks help after the tragic murders of three officers in separate incidents over the weekend, underscoring rising violence against law enforcement in South Africa. National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola.
National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola stated that the Hawks are leading the investigation, relying on witness testimonies and evidence collected at the filling station near Roodepoort Magistrate's Court where the shootings occurred.
He added that questions have been raised about whether the awaiting-trial prisoner was handcuffed at the time.
'It is standard procedure that all awaiting trial prisoners must be appropriately restrained and placed at the back of a van. On whether Moyo was handcuffed or not and why members were travelling in a sedan, all these questions are under investigation.'
On August 9, Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni of Schoemansdal SAPS in Mpumalanga was fatally shot while responding to a burglary near Komatipoort. Police are currently searching for 10 suspects believed to be involved.
Masemola paid a visit to the families of the fallen officers to express his condolences and provide support.
He denounced the killings as a blatant assault on state authority and the rule of law.
Masemola disclosed that 27 police officers were killed by criminals in the last financial year, with six officers already losing their lives in the line of duty since April 1, 2025.
'These are not just numbers; they were mothers and fathers who have left families behind to fend for themselves. Most of them were breadwinners in their households, but most importantly, they were members who dedicated and laid down their lives in the line of duty by ensuring that all people living in South Africa are safe and protected from callous criminals,' he said.
Masemola also strongly urged all police officers across the country to be vigilant and not risk their lives while using the tools and resources provided to them.
'I am making this call again to all police officers in the country, do not die with the tools and resources that we have given you. The men and women in blue must act appropriately when circumstances allow them to act. Remember to always use force that is proportional to the threat. I plead with you, do not let your guard down, always be a step ahead of these criminals to ensure the safety and security of the people of this country,' he added.
The Star
masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za
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