Two police members were killed as South Africa marked the end of 2022 and the beginning of the New Year.
National police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, said one suspect was arrested for the murder of a policeman who was stabbed to death on New Year’s Day.
She said the 52-year-old Warrant Officer Ntshidi Marutla was disarmed of his service pistol and fatally stabbed during a stop and search operation in Rosettenville in Johannesburg.
Mathe said another SAPS member also sustained a stab wound and was taken to a nearby medical facility for further care.
“Within hours of the commission of the crime, one male suspect was linked to the murder scene and subsequently arrested by members of the Johannesburg Central Police Station. He was found in possession of the murder weapon and the deceased member’s service pistol.”
Brigadier Mathe said in another incident on 29 December, Warrant Officer Anton Seeber, was shot and killed in his home after intruders demanded his service pistol.
“He was shot and killed and robbed of his personal belongings including his service pistol,” she said.
Seeber was attached to the Linden Police Station also in Johannesburg.
Mathe said the National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, condemned the attacks, saying SAPS management is concerned about the ongoing attacks and killing of police officers.
