Latest news with #LawrenceMtshweni
News24
5 days ago
- News24
Sergeant Mtshweni murder: 2 suspects killed in shootout, one kills himself as cops close in
As the SA Police and Royal Eswatini Police Services were about to arrest three men in connection with the recent murder of Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni, one shot himself and the other two were killed in a shootout. Mtshweni was killed in a robbery involving seven heavily armed suspects at a store in Schoemansdal, Mpumalanga, on 8 August. The following day, police made a breakthrough, according to national police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, with the arrest of one person on 9 August in South Africa. Further intelligence pointed to the involvement of two men in Eswatini, who were traced to the Sishweleni region, according to the Royal Eswatini Police Service. 'When they noticed the police, they opened fire on them, and the Eswatini royal police returned fire, fatally killing the two suspects,' Mathe said. A third man was found at his parental home in Mantambe, Shiselweni, where he reportedly used a gun to kill himself before he could be arrested. READ | SAPS hunt cop killers after 3 officers fatally shot in the line of duty National police commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, thanked Eswatini commissioner of police Vusie Masango, and the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force for their collaboration. 'On behalf of all the men and women in blue and the family of Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni, we would like to thank the Royal Eswatini Police, led by Commissioner Masango, as well as the role played by the Umbutfo Defence Force in assisting our Mpumalanga police to trace these police killers,' Masemola said. He added that the partnership was crucial in combating the murder of police officers. The top cop said: The attacks and killing of our police officers is a concern, and we request our communities to assist us in putting a stop to these killings. 'We need as many boots on the ground as possible to prevent and combat crime,' Masemola said. This comes as a search is under way for Jabulani Moyo, who is accused of killing two police detectives who were transporting him back to the Boksburg correctional facility after appearing in court in Roodepoort. Police have offered a reward of R150 000 for information leading to his arrest. Six police officers have been killed in the line of duty since April.
IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
Three suspects killed in Eswatini during cross-border manhunt for SAPS officer's murder
General Masemola praises Eswatini Police for their role in solving officer's murder. Image: File image National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, has expressed gratitude to the Commissioner of the Royal Eswatini Police, Commissioner Vusie Manoma Masango, for the swift cooperation in tracing three suspects responsible for the murder of a South African police officer in the Kingdom of Eswatini. The cross-border operation, led by the Acting Provincial Commissioner of Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, successfully identified the suspects involved in the killing of Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni. Sergeant Mtshweni was shot and killed by more than seven armed robbers during a store robbery in Schoemansdal, Mpumalanga, on Friday, August 8. The first suspect was apprehended in South Africa on Saturday, August 9, by Mpumalanga police. Investigations then extended into Eswatini, where the Royal Eswatini Police and the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force were brought in to assist. "According to the Royal Eswatini Police, two suspects were traced to the Sishweleni region. When they noticed police, they opened fire, and the Eswatini Royal Police returned fire, fatally shooting the two suspects," said SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe. Further inquiries led Eswatini police to Mantambe in Shiselweni, where the third suspect allegedly took his own life with a firearm before officers could arrest him. General Masemola praised the operation as a significant achievement in cross-border law enforcement. "On behalf of all the men and women in blue and the family of Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni, we would like to thank the Royal Eswatini Police, led by Commissioner Masango, as well as the Umbutfo Defence Force, for assisting our Mpumalanga police to trace these killers. "The attacks and killings of our police officers remain a serious concern, and we urge communities to assist in putting a stop to these crimes. From April 1, 2025, to date, six officers have already been lost. We cannot afford to lose more and need as many boots on the ground as possible to prevent and combat crime," said Masemola. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ This breakthrough comes as SAPS continues its search for Jabulani Moyo, who shot and killed two detectives while being transported to Boksburg Correctional Services following an armed robbery court appearance. SAPS has offered R150,000 for information leading to Moyo's capture. The SAPS leadership, led by General Masemola, will attend the funerals of three officers who died in the line of duty this past week: Warrant Officer Vuyisile Sintwa – Sunday, August 17, Mandilore, Krugersdorp Sergeant Simon Masenye – Saturday, August 16, Munsieville Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni – Saturday, 16, Schoemansdal IOL News Get your news on the go. Click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
The South African
5 days ago
- The South African
Suspects in cop-killer case found, shot dead in Eswatini
A coordinated operation involving the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), the South African Police Service (SAPS), and the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force successfully ended the search for suspects involved in the killing of SAPS officer Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni. The investigation revealed that the suspects had fled across the border into Eswatini. Intelligence identified their hideouts in Nyakatfo, Hhohho Region, and Mantambe, Shiselweni Region. In the early hours of Wednesday, REPS, supported by a security cordon from the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force, moved in on the Nyakatfo location. Two suspects, armed with a pistol, fired at officers while attempting to flee. Police returned fire, fatally wounding both. The third suspect, traced to his parental home in Mantambe, Shiselweni, committed suicide with a pistol before officers could arrest him. National SAPS Commissioner General Fannie Masemola thanked REPS Commissioner Vusie Manoma Masango and the Umbutfo Defence Force for their role in tracking the killers. 'On behalf of all members in blue and Sergeant Mtshweni's family, we thank the Royal Eswatini Police and Umbutfo Defence Force. Strengthening cross-border cooperation is vital to prevent further attacks on our officers,' said Gen Masemola. Sergeant Mtshweni was shot and killed during an armed robbery at a store in Schoemansdal, Mpumalanga, on Friday, 8 August 2025. Mpumalanga police had already arrested the first suspect on 9 August 2025 in South Africa, which led to further investigation in Eswatini. SAPS continues to search for Jabulani Moyo, who shot and killed two police detectives while being transported to Boksburg Correctional Services. SAPS has offered R150 000 for information leading to his arrest. The SAPS leadership will attend the funerals of officers killed in the line of duty this past week: Sergeant Simon Masenye — Saturday, 16 August 2025, Munsieville Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni — Saturday, 16 August 2025, Schoemansdal Warrant Officer Vuyisile Sintwa — Sunday, 17 August 2025, Mandilore, Krugersdorp The SAPS Commemoration Day will take place on Sunday, 7 September 2025. To honour 27 officers who lost their lives on duty. 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.
