Police and emergency services attacked and shot at while attending to an accident scene

A manhunt has been launched for five armed men who attacked and shot police officers and emergency services who were busy attending to a scene in the early hours of Sunday.

ONE POLICE OFFICER WAS SHOT MULTIPLE TIMES

According to police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, members of the South African Police Service and a Fire Brigade official were attending to an accident scene on the R40 Road at Ga-Bereta near Bushbuckridge.

“Police in Mpumalanga have launched a manhunt for suspects who shot at members of the South African Police Service as well as a Fire Brigade official that attended to an accident scene on the R40 Road at Ga-Bereta near Bushbuckridge.”

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Mohlala said the incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of today, Sunday, 31 October 2021, around 02h15.

“According to the information, police together with emergency services were notified of a homicide incident in which a vehicle veered off the road and fell into the river, resulting in the death of a driver with one occupant who survived.

“Whilst the officials were busy at the scene, a group of about five suspects emerged from the nearby bushes and indiscriminately fired shots at them. It is further reported that the suspects demanded firearms and bulletproofs from the members.”

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Mohlala said a Police Constable is fighting for his life in hospital after he was shot multiple times in the attack.

“The suspects who robbed him of his service firearm, a cell phone, and keys for the state car. Meanwhile, three SAPS members as well as an official from fire and rescue, survived the incident unharmed.

“It is also reported that the state vehicle was damaged during the incident. The suspects then fled the scene on foot. A case of armed robbery with an additional charge of attempted murder was opened hence the manhunt.”

Police retrieved some cartridges in the scene while armed men were still at large.

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The police in Bushbuckridge request anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact Detective Colonel Christoph Mashego on 0609120365 or call the Crime Stop number at 0860010111. Alternatively, members of the public can send information via MYSAPSAPP. All information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela, has strongly condemned the attack of officials who were rendering their service to the victims and ordered the swift arrest of the suspects well as the recovery of the robbed firearm and keys for the state vehicle.