Gauteng police have launched a manhunt for an unknown number of suspects who shot dead a warrant officer and wounded a constable from the Benoni Flying Squad unit. On Monday evening at about 19:40pm, police officers who were patrolling the N12 spotted a police vehicle parked along the freeway between Delmas and Daveyton.
“Upon closer inspection, members found a 53-year-old warrant officer already deceased with his state firearm and handcuffs missing. The member had been shot in his upper body,” said Colonel Athlenda Mathe, the police spokesperson.
She said the second member was found near the bushes injured and unconscious. “The second member, a 33-year-old constable, was found in a near bush with gunshot wounds in an unconscious state and he was airlifted to a nearby hospital for medical care,” Mathe said.
The two officers had responded to complaints of a truck which was believed to be hijacked on the N12. The police have launched a manhunt and are investigating cases of murder and attempted murder following the discovery of the officers on the N12.
According to a police report, the officer who is in critical condition was shot I the face, shoulder, upper arm and wrist. “The SA Police Service is calling o members of the public to come forward with information to assist investigations,” said Mathe.
Source: News24, Times Live, image from Twitter
