Speaking to Kathorus MAIL, communication official at Vosloorus SAPS, Capt Piet Rossouw, said WO Sipho Mthethwa (52) was driving the state vehicle – VW Crafter Combi on July 6 at around 5am when he was murdered.
“He was busy picking up other members of the police who were working with him on the Operation Command Centre (OCC) Cluster Task Team. As they were driving they spotted a suspicious VW Jetta with three male occupants. WO Mthethwa told the members of the police to stop and search the vehicle,” said Rossouw.
Rossouw said as Mthethwa went closer to the suspicious vehicle, the driver jumped out and started to run away.
“Mthethwa gave chase. At about 200 metres, the man on the run stopped and put his hands up in the air as if he was surrendering. As soon as Mthethwa came closer, he turned, drew the gun and fired one shot at Mthethwa’s head. Mthethwa was declared dead on the scene,” Rossouw told Kathorus MAIL.
He said the suspect who is believed to be Bongumusa Madondo, managed to run away.
“Madondo ran away from the Johannesburg High Court about seven weeks ago where he was supposed to attend two cases of ATM bombing and police murder in Gauteng,” Rossouw said.
He said the other two suspects who were with Madondo in the vehicle, were arrested and the R5 rifle and live rounds were found and seized.
Rossouw also said all role players including the Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Gen Deliwe De Lange, the cluster commander Maj Gen Auma Korae and Vosloorus SAPS station commander Brig Themba Denge, came to the scene to pay their last respects.
The suspects are expected to appear in Palm Ridge Magistrate Court soon.
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