Minister of Police Fikile Mbalula on Wednesday vowed that police would hunt down the suspects who killed five police officers and a retired soldier during an attack at the Engcobo Police Station in the Eastern Cape.
Mbalula was speaking at a prayer session held outside the police station which was attended by a large group of community members and government officials.
As the rain fell softly, a candle was lit for each life lost in the tragic attack.
“You killed a man or woman in uniform, a law enforcement officer. The law must say you will never return from jail.
“We must be ready for them everywhere in the country and our police stations must not close down. We must do our job,” Mbalula said.
During the early hours of Wednesday morning, a group of armed suspects entered the police station and opened fire killing three police members instantly.
According to police, a retired soldier was also shot dead as the suspects fled.
The suspects made off with a police van and took two other police officials with them.
The two police officers were later found dead along the road, six kilometers from the police station.
The police vehicle has since been recovered.
According to preliminary investigations police said that it appeared that the members were shot execution style.
“The deceased are all males; Warrant Officer and four Constables. Five other female members were given trauma counselling,”
Police said that 10 firearms had been taken, which included two rifles, two shot guns and six pistols.
The motive for the attack has yet to be established.
A task team comprising of seasoned detectives of the South African Police Service and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation will be supported by specialized medium to high risk teams with the added support of the Airwing to investigate the attack.
No arrests have been made but police said they were following strong leads and an arrest was imminent.
-African News Agency (ANA),
