A suspect who was wanted in connection with the murder of a Ngqeleni police officer was killed in an alleged shoot-out in the Eastern Cape.
Warrant Officer Khangelani Nomatiti was gunned down last week while he was on duty.
Hawks provincial spokesperson Yolisa Mgolodela said the 59-year-old was at the local police station when he left the Community Service Centre (CSC) and proceeded to a shop on foot to purchase food.
“En route to the shop, he was allegedly accosted by two suspects who attempted to rob him of his firearm.
“A fight ensued and the warrant officer fought his attackers off.
However, a third suspect reportedly appeared from behind him and shot Nomatiti at the back of his head.
Nomatiti fell on the ground bleeding profusely.
“The suspects then robbed him of his service pistol and fled the scene on foot in two different directions.
The members from Ngqeleni police station pursued the suspects in vain.
Officer Nomatiti was declared dead on the scene by the paramedics,” said Mgolodela.
On Wednesday morning the Mthatha based Serious Organised Crime Investigation along with the deployed National Intervention Unit received a tip off about one the alleged suspects, a 35-year-old who was said to be hiding inside a homestead in Mqangqweni location.
“The team was following up on information that led them to the whereabouts of the suspect.
On police arrival at the scene, the suspect reportedly saw their vehicles approaching. It is said that they were met by a hail of bullets, and they tactically responded, resulting in the death of the suspect.
“The service pistol that was robbed from Nomatiti was recovered from the deceased suspect with the serial number still intact,” said Mgolodela.
The investigations are ongoing and more arrests are imminent, police said.
Provincial Head Mboiki Obed Ngwenya lauded the joint effort of the team and further encouraged the investigating team to find the other perpetrators who were still at large.
Cape Times