Durban – Police have launched a manhunt for suspects who shot and killed a KwaZulu-Natal police station commander and wounded another officer during a shootout following a business robbery in Greytown on Thursday.
The station commander, a Lieutenant Colonel whose identity has not yet been released, was killed while leading police officers in pursuit of at least 10 suspects who had fled the robbery scene in a Toyota Quantum.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the officers responded to a business robbery in progress, during which a shop owner was shot and injured and employees were assaulted.
The station commander, together with her members and private security personnel, pursued the suspects and caught up with them along the R33 towards Msinga.
A shootout subsequently broke out between the suspects and police, during which the station commander was shot and declared dead at the scene.
A police sergeant was also shot in the arm and rushed to hospital for medical treatment.
Two suspects were shot and fatally wounded, while a third was injured and arrested. He was taken to hospital under police guard.
Police recovered three firearms, comprising two rifles and a handgun, from the suspects.
However, several other suspects managed to evade arrest and fled into the mountains, prompting police to launch a manhunt.
Acting KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Major General Phumelele Makoba vowed that police would use all available resources to track down those responsible for the station commander’s death.
“An attack to police officers is an attack to the State and police will use every available resource to trace the suspects,” Makoba said.
“The suspects will know no peace and police hunt them day and night.”
Makoba also extended condolences to the family of the fallen officer, describing her as a heroine.
“On behalf of the management of police in KwaZulu-Natal and the entire workforce I send our heartfelt words of condolences to the family of the fallen heroine,” he said.
“The least we can offer now is justice and we shall find the suspects, dead or alive,” Makoba added.
Police have vowed to continue the manhunt until all those involved in the killing are brought to justice.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
