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An Eastern Cape policeman has been killed in a shoot out with six suspects at Nqeleni in the former Transkei.
Four of the six suspects have been on the run since escaping from police custody in Nqamakwe in May.
According to a police statement on Thursday, four police members had traced the suspects to Nqeleni near Mthatha on Wednesday.
On arrival they were met with gunfire and in the ensuing gunbattle, Warrant Officer Mawethu Siganga and one of the suspects was fatally wounded.
A second suspect, identified as escapee Zwelithini Gibeni, was wounded an arrested.
The other four suspects, which include escapees, Ntlantle Mvoko, Sonwabile Makhongo, Menzi Zekane and an unknown man, managed to escape.
The hunt for them is continuing.
Newly appointed police commissioner, general Rhiya Phiyega, says Siganga's death brings to two the number of policemen killed in the line of duty in the past five days.
She says Warrant Officer Lennox Latha, was throttled to death by two men who escaped from the Katlehong police station cells on Sunday.
They remain at large.
General Phiyega says she's shocked at the death of the two police members.
