SAPS
Northern Cape police are mourning the loss of two officers who were fatally wounded while chasing a vehicle theft suspect early on Tuesday morning.
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Mashay Gamieldien, said the deceased officers were a Sergeant and Constable from the Kimberley Flying Squad.
She said they had acted on information about a stolen hired car when they spotted the vehicle en route to Bloemfontein and gave chase.
Gamieldien said the suspect crashed the vehicle but fled on foot, firing at the police.
She said the two members were fatally wounded on the scene.
Police later arrested a 38-year-old suspect who is due to appear in court on Thursday on a charge of murder.
The police officers were identified as 35-year-old Constable Okaetse Mandindi and 45-year-old Sergeant Kedimetse Masilo.
The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service(SAPS), General Fannie Masemola has commended police for the swift arrest of the suspect.
“The killing of these members happens a week before the commemoration of 34 members who died in the line of duty in the 2022/2023 financial year. We will work hard to secure a water tight case that will result in a lengthy conviction for this perpetrator”, said General Masemola.
