Lim police commissioner condemns killing of off-duty cop
Expressing her condolences, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe said they were deeply shocked and saddened by the incident.
LIMPOPO – Provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has condemned the murder of Detective Sergeant Luanda Rice Ringani (41), who was fatally shot along with a female passenger (25) last Sunday in Mamadimo Park, Mankweng.
Local police responded to a shooting at around 21:50 and upon their arrival, they discovered Ringani and a female passenger with multiple gunshot wounds inside the vehicle.
Emergency medical personnel declared Ringani dead at the scene, while the female victim was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Preliminary information indicates that the victims noticed they were being followed by a luxury vehicle with a Gauteng registration number.
In an attempt to seek safety, they drove to the woman’s residence in Mamadimo Park. The suspects, however, pursued them and opened fire before they could enter the yard, the police confirmed.
The suspects then fled the scene.
Read more: Off-duty Polokwane police officer killed in Mankweng
Ringani was a dedicated member of the detective services attached to the Polokwane police.
A case of murder and attempted murder has been opened.
Hadebe, accompanied by other senior SAPS officials, including members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and forensics, visited the crime scene.
She directed the police to mobilise all available resources to swiftly apprehend the suspects involved in the attack.
“We have mobilised the resources at our disposal to ensure the swift apprehension of the suspects. We urge anyone with information relating to this incident to assist the police in their efforts to arrest the suspects.”
Expressing her condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased officer, Hadebe said they were deeply shocked and saddened “by the senseless killing of one of our own. This cowardly act is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by our officers, even when they are off duty.”
Anyone with information can contact Warrant Officer Pheladi Makola at 082 729 2233, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Bishomane at 079 894 5501, or the SAPS Crime Stop number at 08600 10111. Information can also be provided via the MySAPS app, with all information received treated in the strictest confidence.
Police investigations are ongoing.
