Wentworth police officer killed during truck hijacking on M7
The officer sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and was declared dead at the scene.
A METRO police officer was shot and killed after allegedly being caught in the middle of a hijacking while travelling on the M7, south of Durban, near the Hans Dettman off-ramp, earlier this morning.
According to reports, the officer, who lived in Wentworth, sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the chest and died at the scene.
Garrith Jamieson, a spokesperson for ALS Paramedics Medical Services, said paramedics were called to the scene just after 07:00.
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“Unfortunately, there was nothing more paramedics could do for the man, and he was declared deceased. At this stage, the details leading up to the shooting are unknown, however, SAPS were in attendance and will be investigating further,” he said.
Colonel Robert Netshiunda, a provincial police spokesperson, said Pinetown police are investigating charges of murder, theft and carjacking.
“It is alleged that a Metro police officer was on duty when he noticed a truck driving counter-traffic. The officer instructed the truck driver to stop; little did he know that a truck hijacking was in progress.
“Four suspects who were driving a silver VW Polo had hijacked the truck. The suspects shot and killed the police officer. Reports indicate that the suspects took the police officer’s vehicle and his firearm and fled the scene. The vehicle was later recovered abandoned on Stapleton Road,” he said.
Colonel Boysie Zungu, a Metro police spokesperson, said a statement will be issued after his next of kin is informed.
Tributes have since poured in on social media for the officer. He was described as a man of God, a husband and family man, and a soldier for his country and community.
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