A police officer and two suspects were shot and killed during a foiled robbery at a retail store in Ngcobo, in the Chris Hani District on Saturday. Police arrested the third suspect while the other two suspects managed to escape.
According to Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana, the Eastern Cape police spokesperson, 43-year-old Sergeant Vakele Mark Mjoli approached a man standing at the front door of the shop dressed in security clothes.
“Believing that that the man was a security officer, he (Mjoli) enquired from him about the whereabouts of the suspects. The man pointed and directed him to the door. As he was proceeding to the door, the man who was later identified as one of the suspects, turned and started shooting at the police officer who died on the scene,” Kinana said.
Kinana said when other police officers moved towards the retail store, they were also met with a hail of bullets. “Another member, Constable Mfundiso Ndede, 35, suffered serious injuries and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical care,” Kinana said.
Police said two of the suspects were shot and killed during the gunfire exchange and two pistols were recovered from the scene.
“One vehicle, also believed to have been the getaway car, was also found in the area. Two of the five suspects are still at large, whilst one was arrested by the police. A murder case, attempted murder case, and inquest are currently under investigation. No money was reported stolen during the incident,” Kinana said.
Source: News24, Sowetan Live, Times Live, The South African, image from Twitter: SAPS