Two on-duty police officers were brutally shot and killed in Ivory Park, Johannesburg, in a deadly ambush that has triggered a full-scale manhunt for the suspects. The attack, which took place on Friday, 28 November 2025, has sent shockwaves through the policing community and raised urgent concerns about the rising number of targeted assaults on law enforcement officers.
According to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the slain officers — a sergeant and a constable stationed at Ivory Park Police Station — were carrying out routine crime-prevention patrols in Extension 9 when they were approached by unknown assailants. The attackers disarmed the officers, stole their service weapons, and then fatally shot them at close range.
Mathe confirmed that the suspects fled the scene with two SAPS pistols, an SAPS rifle, and the cellphones belonging to both officers. The theft of these firearms has intensified the urgency of the manhunt, as police fear the weapons may be used to commit further violent crimes.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni visited the crime scene shortly after the attack. He has since assembled a specialised team of investigators, supported by tactical units, to track down the perpetrators and recover the stolen firearms. Mthombeni emphasised that the SAPS will not rest until those responsible are apprehended.
National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola also condemned the killings, calling the attack a direct assault on the state and the rule of law. He instructed the provincial leadership to deploy maximum resources in pursuit of the suspects.
General Masemola noted that six police officers have already been killed in the line of duty between April and September this year, describing the trend as deeply concerning. He reiterated SAPS’ commitment to ensuring officers receive continuous training, regular firearm skills refreshers, and the equipment needed to protect themselves and the communities they serve.
In a stern message to all law enforcement personnel, Masemola urged officers never to hesitate when their lives or the public are under threat. “Don’t die with the resources we have given you. Always be vigilant and act decisively when your life or the lives of the communities we serve are in danger,” he said.
The SAPS is appealing to the public for assistance in the investigation. Anyone with information about the suspects or their whereabouts is urged to contact the Crime Stop line at **08600 10111** or reach out directly to the Ivory Park Station Commander, Brigadier Ngcobo, at **076 411 2314**. All information will be treated confidentially.
As the search intensifies, the murders of the two officers highlight the extreme dangers faced by police in South Africa and the continued battle against violent crime. The SAPS has vowed to bring the killers to justice and restore safety in the Ivory Park community.
About the Author
