Ndudi Anyim
Police authority in South Africa, has ordered a massive manhunt of the suspect (s), responsible for the death of a 43-year-old police Sergeant, Dominic Monana, at Gamotibidi Trust in Bushbuckridge.
According to the Provincial Commissioner of South African Police Service (SAPS), in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, the policeman was shot and killed in the evening of Friday, March 5.
Reports has it that the Sergeant, who was off-duty at the time, was traveling in his vehicle with a lady friend, when the duo were accosted by about four armed suspects who were driving beside them.
It was learnt that the armed men had disguised as if they needed Monana’s help with road direction, and as he opened the window of his car, the suspects pointed firearms at him, demanded his firearm and cellphones.
He was shot dead and his vehicle stolen by the armed men. Monana was said to be stationed at Calcutta Police Station before he met his untimely death.
Zuma said: “ These ruthless assailants are said to have then fired several shots at Sergeant Monana. They then pulled him and his friend out of the car, took his state firearm and two cell phones, before fleeing the scene in his vehicle.
“ Police as well as medical personnel were notified about the incident where Sergeant Monana was unfortunately certified dead. The member’s friend was unharmed during the ordeal. A case of murder with an additional charge of car hijacking was opened and police immediately mobilised all the necessary resources to attend to the crime scene where a 72-Hour Activation Plan was implemented to track the suspects, hence the manhunt. ”
He said the hijacked vehicle was later recovered at Violet Bank near Bushbuckridge.
General Zuma conveys his condolences to the family and further indicated that they will be given the necessary support by the management.
“I am confident that the prompt implementation of the 72-Hour Activation Plan which includes experts from various environments’ in the police will surely yield positive results and ensure that the suspects are put behind bars.
“ Police appeal to anyone who may have information on the whereabouts of the suspects to contact Detective Warrant Officer Mduduzi Aubrey Motubatsi at 0723203194, or call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111.
“ Alternatively members of the public can send information via MYSAPSAPP. All information received will be treated as confidential, ” he assured.