Sitole applauds takedown of suspected Ngcobo cop-killers

National police commissioner General Khehla John Sitole on Saturday applauded the speedy take-down of suspects allegedly involved in the Ngcobo Police Station attack following a shootout with Eastern Cape police on Friday night.

A Hawks multi disciplinary team, tasked to investigate the murders of five police officers and a retired soldier at the community service centre, made a major breakthrough after they fatally shot seven suspects at their hideout in a church in Nyanga village near Ngcobo.

One police officer from the SAPS special task force was wounded during the operation. More than 10 other suspects were arrested while others managed to escape. A number of firearms have also been confiscated.

“I am extremely proud of the entire investigation team as well as the medium to high risk teams for their unwavering commitment to this case,” said General Sitole said in a statement.

“While I have welcomed the outcome of this tireless investigation, I feel that this is still little comfort for the families, relatives and colleagues that are mourning the passing of Warrant Officer Sibongiseni Sandlana, Warrant Officer Zuko Mbini, Constables Kuhle Mathetha, Nkosiphendulo Pongco and Zuko Ntsheku,” the police commissioner added.

General Sitole said he was “extremely overwhelmed” and grateful by the extreme condemnation of the killing of the men and women in blue, as well as the continued support by all sectors of society through several media platforms.

He also urged communities to continue supporting police in the fight against crime.

Earlier, parliament’s police portfolio committee also welcomed the breakthrough made by the police special task team. The task team was commended for the breakthrough.

Committee chairman Francois Beukman said they noted that seven suspects were shot dead in the shoot-out.

“We trust that the other suspects will be apprehended soon. [Police] members worked non-stop to arrest the possible suspects in the case and their commitment and professionalism should be an example to all law-enforcement agencies. It is important that all suspects in the case be subjected to the judicial process as soon as possible,” Beukman said.

– Additional reporting African News Agency

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