Between April 2021 and March 2022, 31 police officers were recorded to have died in the line of duty. In September the fallen heroes were remembered and celebrated for their selfless service to the people of South Africa. During  the South African Police Service Commemoration Day ceremony 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned police killings. "This day should also serve to mobilise society against the killing of our officers. No society can remain silent when criminals have clearly declared war on the police. Our men and women in blue represent the authority of the state and any attack on them is a direct attack on the state and an attack on the people. I call upon all our police members to remain vigilant at all times," said Ramaphosa.

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DOUBLE TRAGEDY

However on Thursday, SAPS was hit by a double tragedy after two of their members were gunned down by thugs in separate incidents. This is the fifth police killing Zimoja has reported since October. Sergeant  Ngcobo from De Deur SAPS was  shot dead whilst responding to information of suspected drug dealing and possession of a firearm in Wheelers farms in De Deur. It is alleged that when the officers approached the house they spotted a suspect  leaving and Sergeant Ngcobo decided to confront him. Unfortunately When Ngcobo introduced himself as an officer,  he was shot dead. It is alleged that his crew member fired several shots towards the suspect but the suspect managed to evade arrest. A Task team was then mobilised to track down the suspect.  At 02:00 in the morning, the 10th the suspect was tracked down to Kanana Park in Wheelers Farm where a shootout ensued. One suspect was shot and rushed to hospital and  another suspect was arrested.

POLICE HIJACKED

Meanwhile a Police Detective Punene Masemola stationed at  Hillbrow was shot dead in Lehae South of JHB. According to the wife of the officer, he arrived at his place of residence and informed her that he had just been hijacked . He asked for his service pistol and the wife gave it to him and he left. It is alleged that shortly after he left gunshots were heard. The wife, who is also an officer, decided to fetch her service pistol and rush  to the direction of  the shooting, on arrival she found her husband dead. It is alleged that the wife managed to contact tracker in order to locate her husband's car, it was located and she was forwarded the location. She then asked for assistance from ADT security car that was parked outside ,not far from her house, to drive her to the crime scene and they found it abandoned. Last month after two officers were shot Police, minister Bheki Cele  called on law enforcement to use brute force on criminals who attack them. "Get these criminals alive or dead, but it would be nice to see them. I wish an opportunity to ask them what happened. The are too many criminals around,"said Minister Cele.

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