Latest news with #TheHawks
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Police Offer R300 000 Reward After Officers Killed in Brutal Attacks
Sifiso Mahlangu | Published 5 hours ago The South African Police Service (SAPS) is offering a reward of R300 000 for any information that leads to the capture of suspects involved in the murders of three police officers in the last 24 hours. These incidents highlight the ongoing and deadly threat faced by law enforcement officers in the Friday, 8 August 2025, two police officers from the Florida Police Station, Warrant Officer Vuyisile Sintwa (51) and Sergeant Simon Masenye (45), were tragically killed in a violent ambush. They were disarmed and shot dead while transporting Jabulani Moyo, a prisoner awaiting trial for a February 2023 business robbery, from the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court to prison. Moyo, who was being escorted in a police vehicle, managed to escape, stealing the vehicle and abandoning it several kilometres from the crime scene. National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, visited the families of the murdered officers and condemned the attack as a direct assault on the rule of law and the authority of the state. Masemola highlighted the increasing dangers police officers face while carrying out their duties, especially in the current climate of violent criminal attacks. The killings of Sintwa and Masenye are part of a disturbing trend of police fatalities in the country. Since the start of the 2025 financial year, six police officers have been killed in criminal attacks and ambushes. In the previous financial year, a total of 27 officers were killed in the line of duty. These figures reflect a concerning rise in violence against law enforcement and raise alarm about the safety of police officers who put their lives at risk every day to protect South African citizens. Masemola described the fallen officers as more than just numbers, emphasising that each was a parent and a breadwinner whose death left families devastated. He also reiterated the critical role police officers play in maintaining public safety, warning that the country cannot afford to remain silent while criminals attack the state's authority. 'We cannot allow criminals to declare war on the state. I urge all police officers to stay vigilant, make use of their tools and resources effectively, and ensure that they remain one step ahead of these criminals,' Masemola said. 'We must act appropriately when circumstances allow, and remember to use proportional force in response to threats.' The investigation into the murders of Sintwa and Masenye is being led by The Hawks, and police are calling on the public for assistance. Evidence gathered at the scene, including CCTV footage and witness accounts from a nearby filling station, is being used to piece together the details of the attack. A multidisciplinary team has also been formed to track down Moyo, who remains on the run. Police have raised questions about whether Moyo was properly restrained during transport, as protocol dictates that all awaiting trial prisoners be handcuffed. In addition to the R150 000 reward for information about Moyo's whereabouts, SAPS is offering another R150 000 for any leads that could lead to the arrest of the criminals responsible for the murder of Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni, who was shot and killed during a response to a business burglary in Schoemansdal. The rise in police killings has prompted calls for better protection and more resources for law enforcement officers. These tragic events are a stark reminder of the dangers police face daily, and the need for continued vigilance in the fight against crime. The SAPS has vowed to do everything in its power to track down those responsible for these heinous crimes, ensuring that justice is served for the fallen officers and their grieving families.
The Citizen
4 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
Fox Sports
29-01-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Green scores 25 and Rockets hold off Hawks 100-96 for fourth straight victory
Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — Jalen Green scored 12 of his 25 points in the third quarter and the Houston Rockets avoided a late collapse to beat the Atlanta Hawks 100-96 on Tuesday night. Alperen Sengun added 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets, who led 96-80 after Green's steal and layup with 5:41 remaining before Atlanta closed within two in the final minute. Dillon Brooks and Amen Thompson each finished with 11 points for the Rockets, who followed their victory in Boston on Monday with their fourth straight win. Trae Young had 21 points and nine assists for Atlanta, which dropped its season-high sixth straight. Takeaways Rockets: Houston has won seven of nine and moved 1 1/2 games ahead of Memphis for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Hawks: Atlanta has not won since beating the Celtics 119-115 in overtime on Jan. 18. Key moment The Hawks cut the lead to 98-96 with 46 seconds to play. De'Andre Hunter missed a potential go-ahead 3-pointer with 12 seconds left and the ball bounced over the backboard, giving the Rockets the ball with 10 seconds left. Sengun broke free on the ensuing Houston inbounds pass and his dunk sealed the win. Key stat The Hawks shot 11 of 47 from 3-point range. After hitting three of its first seven 3-pointers, Atlanta went 8 of 40 the rest of the game. Up next The Hawks travel to Cleveland play the Cavaliers on Thursday while the Rockets head to Memphis to play the Grizzlies in a key Western Conference matchup on Thursday. ___ AP NBA: recommended
