The police officer that was murdered on Monday afternoon in a shootout with four suspects has been identified as Constable Albert Mafemani Shirinda.
Constable Shirinda has been in the South African Police Service (Saps) since 2009 and has worked as a detective, Florida Police spokesperson Captain Lydia Dikolomela said.
Before his death on Monday, Shirinda worked in the visible policing unit at the Florida police station, closely working with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) office. Shirinda celebrated his 41st birthday on 6 June this year.
The events surrounding his death are being investigated by the Provincial Investigation Unit (PIU) after a murder case was opened earlier this week. Shirinda was off duty and washing his vehicle in the yard of his house in Florida when he was confronted by four suspects who attempted to hijack his vehicle. He was shot twice; once in the back with the bullet exiting near his heart and a second time in the side of his torso, the bullet exiting near his stomach. He identified himself as a police officer, in effect placing himself on duty, before he chased the suspects down Honeyball Avenue and shot back at them, injuring one.
A resident attempted to transport the injured policeman to Discovery Clinic nearby, but he succumbed to his injuries en route.
Three of the four suspects were subsequently arrested on Monday afternoon and were charged with murder.
The Record will update on court proceedings as the story develops.
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