Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene, the Eastern Cape Police Commissioner, has condemned the wanton attack on an off-duty police Sergeant in Zwide on Tuesday evening.
The Sergeant is from the SAPS Mounted Unit, according to provincial spokesperson Col Priscilla Naidu.
She said: “[He] returned home at about 9.45pm and after parking his vehicle in his yard in Scheepers Road, he went to lock his gate. He was met by two unknown males who enquired from him about a certain person.
“When the police officer replied in the negative, one of the males forced open the gate while the other fired a shot at the member. Member returned fire and chased after them down the street. One suspect fell in the street and the other one jumped into a white bakkie that was waiting around the corner and they drove off. A pistol was also found”.
Naidu stated that the identity of the deceased person remained unknown at this time.
She stated that SAPS Kwazakele detectives were looking into an inquest as well as cases of murder, possession of a prohibited firearm, and unlawful ammunition possession.
Lt Gen Mene has appealed to the public for any information that could lead to the arrest of the second suspect.
“Any attack on a police officer is a direct attack on the authority of the State. Police members are an asset to our communities and their safety is a priority. Such attacks is a grave concern and the perpetrators of these attacks on police must be arrested and brought to book,” said Lt Gen Mene.