Police confirmed that reaction officer Jacques Nortje was gunned down while responding to a house robbery in Middelvlei over the weekend.
According to Mohlakeng Police Station Commander Colonel Joyce Tuuba, the robbery occurred at about 22:00 on Saturday, August 31.
“Family and friends were enjoying a birthday party that night before two armed perpetrators entered the residence. The armed men then held people at gunpoint and locked them inside the home where they stole multiple items such as cellphones, a laptop and a bakkie,” Tuuba stated.
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Tuuba added while the house robbery was in progress, a Mapogo A Mathamaga reaction officer, who has since been identified as Nortje, responded to an active alarm. The officer was consequently shot in the head and killed by the perpetrators. Among the many stolen items was Nortje’s 9mm Glock which the perpetrators also took after shooting him.
Mapogo’s operational manager Danie Vermeulen has since expressed his condolences.
“This loss, following so closely after the passing of our esteemed colleague Gert Strydom last week, weighs heavily on all of us. Jacques’s bravery and commitment to safeguarding others will forever be etched in our memories,” Vermeulen said.
Read more about Nortje in next week’s (September 13) edition.
