JMPD officer gunned down in south of Johannesburg

JOHANNESBURG - A Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officer has been shot dead while on duty by suspected robbers in Vlakfontein in the south of Johannesburg.

Matome Mokoena and two of his colleagues responded to a call of a robbery while patrolling the area on Wednesday.

The officers approached the suspected criminals, who opened fire from a vehicle they were travelling in.

No one has been arrested in connection with the attack.

JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla explained, “Both officers immediately took cover. Tragically, the suspects pursued Officer Mokoena to a nearby residence where he was fatally shot. Following this heinous act, the suspects stole Officer Mokoena's official JMPD firearm and the marked JMPD patrol vehicle, which was idling at the scene.”

Fihla added that the stolen police vehicle was later disabled by their fleet services and found abandoned.