Reward out for cop killers
JOBURG - Gauteng police are offering a reward of up to R100 000 for information on the murder of Johannesburg cluster commander Major-General Tirhani Maswanganyi, Provincial commissioner Lt-Gen Mzwandile Petros said.
“We are giving a reward of up to R100 000 depending on the kind of information received. We are appealing to community members to assist the police in finding the culprits.”
Maswanganyi was found dead, with his hands and feet tied in a veld, along the R101 near Hammanskraal, Pretoria in the early hours of 18 June. His bakkie was found abandoned late in the evening and his two cellphones were missing, but his police uniform and identification card were in the vehicle.
Maswanganyi had a wound in his chest, however no gunshot wounds were found.
Petros said, at the time of his death, Maswangayi had been subpoenaed to testify in a Westrand court, for a murder case he was investigating.
“But we do not want to speculate that this officer was killed because he was involved in this investigation,” he added.
The commissioner described Maswangayi as a passionate and reliable officer who was committed to his job.
Gauteng Police Board Chairperson Andy Mashaile said the news of his colleague came as a shock.
“I worked closely with him in a number of operations. He was a no-nonsense man who wanted the safety and security of our communities guaranteed.”
He alluded to Maswanganyis performance, which he said had brought crime under control.
Mashaile said police were working around the clock to solve the case.
