Still no arrests after fatal attack on two police officers in Masoyi

To date, no one has been arrested for the death of Sergeant Vusi Elvis Siwela (38) and the wounded Sergeant Thandazile Khoza.

The two SAPS sergeants from the Masoyi Police Station responded to a call of an ongoing armed robbery at a supermarket in Chochocho Village on August 21. Siwela and Khoza walked straight into a hail of bullets, which killed Siwela. Khoza was wounded and taken to Mediclinic Nelspruit. He has since been released from hospital and is recovering at home.

Siwela was buried in his home village in Salubindza in the Numbi area on August 26.

His family said they are unhappy with the investigation as they are not being informed about anything. The fact that the perpetrators are still at large just adds to their dissatisfaction. They said they will only have closure once the perpetrators have been arrested. They are also worried that the police are not communicating with them regarding the case.

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Siwela’s sister, Patricia, said despite the fact that her brother had always told his family his job was dangerous and that he might not return home someday, the family is still in shock.

They said they want answers from the police about why only two members were sent to the armed robbery in the middle of the night, as it is common knowledge that the area is very dangerous. The burglary was reported as an armed robbery consisting of a gang using explosives.

“We want to know how far the investigations are and if we can we expect any arrests soon. The police only came to the funeral and acted as if they were on top of the case, but it has been more two weeks and nothing has happened. Now we are expected to have closure while we are in the dark,” Patricia said.

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She said it would be bearable if the police could at least communicate with the family. She said they do not have to give them all the details, but any update would help. “As a family, we don’t understand his passing, and it’s going to take time to have closure now that he’s gone. He was sent straight into the den of vultures and they devoured his life.”

Patricia also said the family appreciated the time they had spent with Vusi, as he was the pillar of the family after they had lost their parents. She described him as a loving person who took care of his siblings without complaining and was always willing to help them where he could. He filled the gap after they lost their parents and played a vital role in their lives. He loved his job as a police officer despite knowing it could cost him his life.

Vusi is survived by his wife, two girls and an 11-month-old boy, as well as his three sisters and two brothers.

A provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, confirmed that no arrests have yet been made. He is calling on the public to come forward with any information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.