Key Points
- JMPD officer Matome Mokoena was fatally shot in Vlakfontein.
- Police recovered the stolen patrol vehicle in Lenasia.
- City officials commend the swift arrest of all suspects involved.
JOHANNESBURG — The South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested JMPD officer murder suspects who allegedly shot and killed Matome Mokoena, a Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officer, in Vlakfontein on Wednesday.
Officer Shot During Robbery Response
Mokoena and his colleague responded to a robbery when they stopped a vehicle matching the suspect’s description. As they approached the car, the suspects opened fire from inside. The officers wore bulletproof vests and quickly took cover. However, the suspects chased Mokoena into a nearby house and shot him fatally.
After that, the suspects stole his service pistol and drove off in a marked patrol vehicle. Authorities later tracked and remotely disabled the vehicle, which they recovered in Lenasia.
Gunmen May Be Linked to Another Killing
According to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), the same suspects may have killed another person in the same area that night. SAPS has not yet revealed the number of suspects arrested or their identities. However, investigations are still ongoing.
City Praises Swift Arrest
The City of Johannesburg’s Public Safety Committee strongly condemned the attack. Officials described it as a direct threat to the city’s safety. Moreover, Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety, praised the work of the JMPD Tactical Response Unit, K9 Unit, and other officers.
“We commend their outstanding efforts,” Tshwaku said. “Their work has brought hope for justice. We urge SAPS to ensure these suspects face the full extent of the law.”
The arrest of the JMPD officer murder suspects has received strong public support. City leaders have emphasized the importance of protecting officers and enforcing strict punishment for crimes targeting law enforcement.
