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The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Police offer R300 000 reward for information on the brutal killings of three officers
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 [email protected]
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Police offer R300 000 reward for information on the brutal killings of three officers
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
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- TimesLIVE
Police union says killings of cops points to crisis
Police have condemned the recent deadly attacks on officers, saying if the same officers who risk their lives to protect citizens are not safe then the fight against crime is severely compromised This follows the deaths of three police officers at the weekend — two detectives from the Florida police station in Gauteng and a crime prevention officer from the Schoemansdal police station in Mpumalanga. Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union spokesperson Richard Mamabolo said the continuous killing of police officers was a deeply concerning and painful reality for the union. 'The loss of three officers since Friday is not just a statistic, it is a reflection of the dangerous conditions under which our members operate daily, and it leaves lasting scars on their families, colleagues and society at large. 'We believe that the killings of police officers must be treated as a national priority crime, with dedicated investigative capacity and harsher consequences for perpetrators. Ultimately, if those who risk their lives to protect our communities are not safe then the fight against crime is severely compromised.' Warrant Officer Vuyisile Sintwa, 51, a detective attached to the Johannesburg Trio Task Team and Sgt Simon Masenye, 45, were killed on Friday. Police are offering a reward of up to R150,000 for information that could lead to the arrest of Jabulani Thabang Moyo, who allegedly shot and killed the officers while they were transporting him from the Roodepoort magistrate's court.
The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
Police offer R300 000 reward for information on cop killers
Police have announced a R300 000 reward for information that could lead to the arrest of suspects in the murders of three police officers in two separate shootings within 24 hours. On Friday, 8 August 2025, gunmen ambushed and killed two detectives from the Johannesburg Trio Task Team while they transported awaiting trial prisoner Jabulani Moyo from the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court back to prison. The suspects disarmed Warrant Officer Vuyisile Sintwa, 51, and Sergeant Simon Masenye, 45, before shooting them. Moyo was last seen driving the abandoned police vehicle, which police later found several kilometres from the crime scene. National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola visited the families of the slain detectives on Saturday. He condemned the murders as a direct attack on the authority of the state and the rule of law. Masemola revealed that criminals killed 27 police officers in the last financial year and that six officers have already died in the line of duty since 1 April 2025. 'These were not just numbers,' he said. 'They were mothers and fathers, breadwinners, and dedicated officers who laid down their lives to protect the people of South Africa.' Masemola warned that the country could not remain silent while criminals wage war on the state. He urged police officers to act decisively when necessary, always applying force proportional to the threat. 'Do not let your guard down,' he said. 'Be a step ahead of these criminals to ensure the safety and security of the public.' The Hawks are leading the investigation into the detectives' murders. Masemola said investigators are analysing witness statements and evidence from a filling station where the shootings took place. He confirmed that a multidisciplinary team, led by crime intelligence, is searching for Moyo. Masemola said investigators are probing whether Moyo was handcuffed during transport and why officers used a sedan instead of a police van. 'Our focus remains on finding Moyo,' he said. 'He has answers we need, and we will not rest until we find him.' Police are offering two separate R150 000 cash rewards, one for information leading to Moyo's arrest and another for the capture of at least 10 suspects involved in the murder of 47-year-old Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni. Gunmen killed Mtshweni while he and other officers responded to a business burglary in Schoemansdal. Masemola warned the public not to approach Moyo, describing him as 'very dangerous' and having 'no regard for life.' Masemola urged officers to apply the police safety strategy, ensure their firearms are in good working order, and carry all necessary tools for their duties. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Police offer R300K reward for info on whereabouts of cop killers
From 1 April 2025 to date, six police officers have lost their lives to criminal attacks and ambushes. Police are offering a R300 000 reward to anyone with information on the whereabouts of suspects in the murders of three police officers in two separate shooting incidents. On Friday, 8 August 2025, two police officers attached to the Florida Police Station were disarmed and gunned down while transporting Jabulani Moyo from the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court back to prison after his court appearance for a February 2023 business robbery. Moyo was last seen driving the abandoned police vehicle, which was later found kilometres from the crime scene. Police murders On Saturday, National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola visited the families of the two officers identified as 51-year-old Warrant Officer Vuyisile Sintwa and 45-year-old Sergeant Simon Masenye, who were killed in the line of duty. Sintwa and Masenye were detectives attached to the Johannesburg Trio Task Team, a unit that is responsible for investigating house and business robberies as well as car-hijackings. Masemola said the murder of the two police officers is not only an attack on the Justice and Crime Prevention Security Cluster but a 'direct attack on the authority of the rule of law and the state.' He said in the last financial year, 27 men and women in blue died in the line of duty. 'From 1 April 2025 to date, six police officers have lost their lives to criminal attacks and ambushes. '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,' Masemola said. ALSO READ: Police Minister vows to capture cop killer Jabulani Moyo Criminals Masemola said the country cannot remain silent, and it cannot be 'business as usual when criminals have clearly declared war on the authority of the state.' '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,' Masemola said. Investigations Masemola said the investigation into the murders of the two detectives is being led by The Hawks. 'We are relying on the bystanders and witnesses as well as evidence gathered at the filling station where they stopped from the Roodepoort Magistrate Court and where the shootings happened. We are following up on every piece of information that will assist us in solving this case.' Moyo escape Masemola said police have also established a multidisciplinary team led by crime intelligence searching for Moyo. 'A lot of questions have arisen on whether the awaiting trial prisoner was handcuffed. 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…. For now, our focus is on finding Moyo. We believe he has the answers we are looking for, and we will not rest until we find him,' Masemola said. Rewards Masemola said they are offering cash rewards for information. 'We are offering a cash reward for anyone who has information on his [Moyo] whereabouts. We are putting a R150 000 cash reward for anyone who can lead us to where he is,' Masemola said. 'This criminal is very dangerous, do not approach him, he has no regard for life, and we are warning anyone who has information to come forward and not approach this killer. 'We are also offering R150 000 for anyone who can help us find at least 10 suspects who shot and killed 47-year-old Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni. Sergeant Mtshweni was part of a group of police officers who responded to a business burglary in Schoemansdal when he was shot and killed,' he said. Masemola has pleaded with police officers on the ground to implement the objectives of the police safety strategy, urging them to make sure their 'firearms are in a good working condition and that they have all the necessary tools of trade to do their work.' ALSO READ: Four shot dead in separate incidents in Eastern Cape
