Ndudi Anyim
South Africa’s Police Minister, General Bheki Cele, has condemned the killing of four police officers in KwaZulu-Natal province over the past weeks.
Cele, who was speaking during a visit to the province said the killings was proof that criminally minded persons were targeting police officers, stating that such will be tolerated.
Giving a breakdown of the killings, the police minster said, “ Sergeant Makhosaze Mdlangathi and Sergeant Mfikelwa Mtolo who were stationed at the Plessislaer and Richmond Police Stations, were ambushed and killed by unknown gunmen in Taylors Halt in the Umngungundlovu District.
“While on duty, Constable Royal Mfihloyakhe Ndlovu on February 18, responded to a domestic violence complaint in Chatsworth. Upon entering the house of the complainant, 44-year-old Ndlovu was shot in the chest, and died on the scene.
“On Sunday, Constable Mbuso Nzimela was assaulted and stabbed to death. While no arrests have been made, the motives for these murders are being investigated by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.”
He maintained that the police are under siege in the province.
“We can’t have four of our officers in a mortuary and that is treated as normal, whether they are on or off duty, it is clear they are targeted by criminals who are hell-bent on terrorising society.
“It is also very worrying that these attacks occur mostly in Kwa Zulu Natal and the Western Cape provinces and we want to appeal to communities to continue to assist police with any information that can track down these killers and bring them to book, ” he said.
Similarly, Cele visited the scene of a family massacre in Eshowe, where six members of a family were shot dead.
Investigations revealed that a suspect armed with pistol, stormed the family house on Saturday, February 20, and killed the family members who were aged between 8 to 70.
Cele also praised operatives for the speedy arrest of the suspect in connection with the multiple murders.