Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal – A South African Police Service (SAPS) officer was tragically killed in a brazen armed robbery on Mafukazela Drive in Inanda on Tuesday afternoon. The off-duty officer was targeted by suspects who shot him multiple times before fleeing the scene with his firearm and personal belongings.
According to reports, the officer had parked his vehicle alongside the road and made his way to a nearby tuck shop when he was confronted by a group of armed suspects. Without warning, the attackers opened fire, leaving the officer critically injured. They then robbed him of his service pistol and man bag before escaping in a silver Volkswagen Polo. The vehicle’s registration number remains unknown at this time.
The incident sent shockwaves through the local community, prompting multiple emergency calls to the Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) Phoenix Operations Centre. Concerned residents reported the sound of gunshots and the sight of a man lying wounded at the scene. In response, RUSA paramedics and Reaction Officers were swiftly dispatched to provide assistance.
Emergency personnel arrived at approximately 18:27, but by that time, the injured officer had already been transported to a medical facility by private means in a desperate attempt to save his life. Moments later, his family arrived on scene and sadly confirmed that the officer had succumbed to his injuries and was declared deceased upon arrival at the hospital.
RUSA personnel recovered several spent 9mm cartridges from the crime scene, indicating the number of shots fired during the attack. The area was cordoned off as law enforcement officers conducted further investigations.
In a development later in the evening, authorities confirmed that one of the suspects involved in the shooting had been injured during the incident. The suspect, who sustained a gunshot wound to the arm, sought medical treatment at a local clinic where he was subsequently arrested by police officers. The arrest has provided investigators with a critical lead as they work to identify and apprehend the remaining suspects involved in the attack.
This shocking incident has once again highlighted the dangers faced by police officers both on and off duty. The SAPS officer’s tragic death has sparked outrage and sorrow among fellow officers, community members, and the wider public, who are calling for swift justice and increased efforts to combat violent crime in the region.
Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the shooting or the whereabouts of the suspects to come forward. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and police have not yet released the identity of the deceased officer, pending official notification of next of kin.
As the Inanda community mourns the loss of another life to senseless violence, calls are growing louder for increased police visibility and stricter measures to tackle gun-related crimes in KwaZulu-Natal.