The Mpumalanga MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Vusi Shongwe, has expressed his deep shock at the killing of a traffic law enforcement officer, Thabo Mashigo.
The 35-year-old Mashigo was stationed at Mapulaneng Cost Centre.
According to a Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, Mashigo was driving in his VW Polo hatchback when two suspects suddenly emerged along the road, wielding a firearm. They signalled Mashigo to stop.
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He apparently refused. This seemed to prompt the assailants to fire shots at the vehicle, injuring its occupants.
The suspects are said to have driven away with the victim’s car, abandoning Mashigo and his passengers, who were assisted by passers-by to reach Mapulane Hospital, where Mashigo was certified dead on arrival.
At this stage it is not clear whether the suspects knew whether Mashigo was a traffic officer or not.
Shongwe has condemned this callousness in the strongest possible terms, saying that the police should spare no efforts to bring these suspects to justice.
“Our police should not rest until the perpetrators are behind bars. We also appeal to those in our communities who may have any information regarding the case, to come forward and assist the police.”
Shongwe conveyed his condolences to the Mashigo family, his colleagues and friends during this difficult period.
