EMPD officer fatally wounded in looting spree
An Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police officer has died and another hospitalised after being shot during a looting spree in Katlehong on Monday, July 12.
The incident occurred shortly after 21:30 during the mass looting of Sam Ntuli Mall in Katlehong. The deceased officer succumbed to the injuries after an ambulance could not get access to the scene of the incident due to road closures in the area.
The police were responding to information that protestors were flooding the mall, when criminals opened fire on them while they were monitoring the situation and trying to maintain law, order, peace and stability in the area.
The deceased officer was based at the Zonkezizwe precinct, and would have been 12 years in the service as a metro police officer today.
His colleagues who witnessed the incident have been provided with the necessary professional support.
The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Commissioner, Mr Isaac Jabulani Mapiyeye has called for calm, appealed for peace and order especially during these trying times when the country is dealing with the silent assassin the Covid-19,
“It is regrettable that the officer died on the hands of the community he worked so hard to serve and save, it is extremely unfortunate that we have lost such a dedicated member of staff who respected and loved serving the people. We do hope that the community will assist us find the perpetrators of this senseless act and put them behind bars where they below,” said the EMPD in a statement.
