Latest news with #RoyalEswatiniPolice
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Alleged killers of Mpumalanga cop traced to Eswatini
On August 14, the Royal Eswatini Police (REP), with the assistance of Commissioner Vusie Manoma Masango, traced three suspected killers to Eswatini. Lowvelder reports that the suspects allegedly shot and killed Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni on August 8, while he and fellow officers were responding to a burglary at a business centre in Schoemansdal. According to the REP, two additional suspects were later traced to the Sishweleni region. When they noticed the police, they allegedly opened fire, prompting officers to return fire and fatally shoot both suspects. In a statement, National Commissioner of Police General Fannie Masemola thanked the cross-border operation and Masango for assisting in tracing the killers to Eswatini. 'On behalf of SAPS and Mtshweni's family, we would like to thank the REP, led by Masango, as well as the Umbutfo Defence Force for assisting Mpumalanga SAPS in locating these killers. We look forward to strengthening and deepening our co-operation on law enforcement matters. 'The attacks and killing of our police officers are a serious concern, and we call on communities to help put a stop to these killings. From April 1 to date, we have already lost six police officers; we cannot afford to lose more. We need as many boots on the ground as possible to prevent and combat crime,' says Masemola. Further investigation led Eswatini police to Mantambe in Shiselweni, where a third suspect allegedly took his own life with a pistol before police could arrest him. Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli extended his condolences to Mtshweni's family. 'Mtshweni's sacrifice is a stark reminder of the risks our police officers face every day. It is a profound loss, not only for his family and friends, but for the entire SAPS community and the society he diligently served. Thank you for allowing him to dedicate his life to serving our nation. Your support and sacrifices have undoubtedly contributed to his ability to uphold the values we hold dear in SAPS.' SAPS leadership, led by Masemola, will attend the funerals of three members who died in the line of duty this past week. Mtshweni will be buried on Saturday, August 16, in Schoemansdal. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
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
Police commissioner hails cross-border raid that ends cop killer manhunt
Sergeant Lauwrence Dumisani Mtshweni was killed on Saturday. Image: Supplied The National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, has thanked the Commissioner of the Royal Eswatini Police, Commissioner Vusie Manoma Masango, for his cooperation in a cross-border operation that traced three alleged police killers to the Kingdom of Eswatini. The operation, led by Acting Provincial Commissioner in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, followed the murder of Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni, 47, who was gunned down while responding to an armed robbery at a local retailer in Schoemansdal near Komatipoort in the early hours of Saturday, 9 August. One suspect was arrested on the same day, and further investigation led SAPS to Eswatini, where information was shared with the Royal Eswatini Police and the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force. National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola. Image: Supplied/SAPS Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ In a statement, the Royal Eswatini Police said their investigation revealed that the suspects had crossed the border. Intelligence indicated they were hiding in Nyakatfo in the Hhohho Region and in Mantambe in the Shiselweni Region. On Thursday, 14 August, a joint operation was launched. 'In the early hours of today, a joint operation led by the Royal Eswatini Police Service, supported by a security cordon from the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force, moved in on the location in Nyakatfo. Two suspects, armed with a pistol, opened fire as they attempted to flee. Police returned fire, fatally wounding both,' officials said. Jabulani Moyo is alleged to have killed two police detectives in Roodepoort on Friday, August 8. Image: SAPS A third suspect, traced to his parental home in Mantambe, took his own life with a pistol before officers could arrest him. The Royal Eswatini Police praised the collaboration and reaffirmed their commitment to combating cross-border crime. Masemola commended the joint operation. 'On behalf of all the men and women in blue and the family of Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni, we thank the Royal Eswatini Police, led by Commissioner Masango, and the Umbutfo Defence Force for assisting our Mpumalanga police in tracing these killers. We look forward to strengthening our cooperation on law enforcement matters,' he said. Masemola noted with concern the recent surge in attacks on police officers and called on communities to support the SAPS in ending such crimes. 'Since 1 April 2025, we have already lost six officers. We cannot afford to lose more. We need as many boots on the ground as possible to prevent and combat crime,' he said. The breakthrough comes as SAPS continues to search for Jabulani Moyo, who allegedly shot and killed two police detectives while being transported back to Boksburg Correctional Services after a court appearance in an armed robbery case in Gauteng on Friday, 8 August. A reward of R150,000 has been offered for information on Moyo's whereabouts. All three slain police officers will be buried this weekend: Warrant Officer Vuyisile Sintwa will be buried on Sunday, 17 August 2025, in Mandilore, Krugersdorp. Sergeant Simon Masenye will be buried on Saturday, 16 August 2025, in Munsieville. Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni will be buried on Saturday, 16 August 2025, in Schoemansdal. IOL
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.
