WATCH: Diepsloot police killers found in Taxi-house informal settlement
“Immediately after the incident, the Province instituted the 72-hour activation plan, mobilising all the necessary resources to trace the suspects that got away. On Thursday, 23 January, two more suspects were arrested in Pinehaven informal settlement in Krugersdorp.”
Another two suspects linked to the shooting and killing of a Diepsloot police officer on 17 January were arrested in Taxi house- Gautrans land informal settlement informal settlement following an intensive search by the police.
The pair, traced deep inside the squatter camp, were among about five suspects sought by police for attempted murder and house robbery. The 54-year-old detective Captain Oupa Matjie was fatally wounded when he and another detective sergeant were in pursuit of them in Diepsloot.
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“On Friday, 17 January detective Captain Matjie and a colleague, a detective sergeant, were tracing suspects wanted in connection with attempted murder and house robbery. Upon spotting about five suspects, the detectives called crime-prevention members for backup while approaching the suspects. They noticed the police and started running in different directions. One of them fired shots at the police and detective Captain Matjie was fatally shot,” The Gauteng Provincial Police spokesperson, Brigadier Mathapelo Peters explained.
Members from Diepsloot Police Station, with the assistance of the community, arrested two of the suspects at the scene.
“Immediately after the incident, the Province instituted the 72-hour activation plan, mobilising all the necessary resources to trace the suspects that got away. On Thursday, 23 January, two more suspects were arrested in Pinehaven informal settlement in Krugersdorp. They will be charged with the murder of detective Captain Matjie and possession of an unlicensed firearm, which was recovered during the arrest,” she confirmed.
“Mongameli Mpofu (one of suspects) appeared in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on charges of house robbery and attempted murder. He was remanded in custody for further investigation while the other suspect is in hospital under police guard where he is being treated for the injuries he sustained when he was apprehended,” she said.
A video of their arrest was thrust into the spotlight. It shows the suspects being questioned by angry police officers who can be heard from the background lambasting the suspected police shooter and ordering him to lay on the ground as they searched the shack in which they were found hiding.
Peters said the National Police Commissioner, General Khehla Sitole conveyed his condolences to the family of Matjie.
“I am pleased to hear that the community of Diepsloot joined hands with the police to arrest two of the suspects that were allegedly part of the five wanted by the police,” said General Sitole, who went on to explain that community involvement in the fight against crime is key to ensuring that criminals are flushed out of our communities.
Within 48 hours, the duo appeared in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court, facing charges of murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
“Anyone with information on any criminal activity is encouraged to send tip-offs on the MySAPS app or to contact the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111. All information received will be treated as confidential,” she encouraged.
