The Hawks in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, have launched a manhunt for a man who allegedly shot and killed an off-duty police officer at a car wash on Saturday night. It's alleged that the two had an argument after the suspect bumped into the cop's car.

It is alleged that Captain Sibusiso Bethwell Mthombothi (44) took his private car to a car wash in Kanyamazane accompanied by a junior colleague, a police sergeant. While his car was parked waiting to be washed, the suspect bumped into it and the two got into an argument. Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Captain Lucy Sekgotodi says the matter was discussed amongst the two with the assistance of a police sergeant, who was with the deceased. According to the police an agreement was made for payment of R5 000 for the repairs of the damages. It is further alleged that the police sergeant and the captain drove the suspect's car to the captain's home pending the payment as agreed.

Sekgotodi added that the police captain returned to the car wash to collect his car where he found the same man who bumped his car and an argument over the suspect's car ensued. According to witnesses, it is alleged that during the argument the suspect took out the firearm and shot at the cop. He later succumbed to his injuries. "The sergeant went back to the carwash only to find his colleague shot and, in an attempt, to apprehend the suspect, the suspect shot at the sergeant who fired back. The suspect fled the scene on foot. Preliminary investigation was conducted by the team comprising of The Hawks Nelspruit based Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, together with Mpumalanga Provincial Organised Crime, Nelspruit Crime Intelligence and Local Criminal Record Centre," she said.