Tragic loss: Another police officer gunned down in Mpumalanga

The South African Police Service (SAPS) lost another colleague in the line of duty on Saturday in Mpumalanga. 

Three officers have been killed in 24 hours. 

The provincial Acting Police Commissioner, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, has launched a manhunt for 10 suspects. 

This after Sergeant Lauwrence Dumisani Mtshweni, 47, attached to the Schoemansdal SAPS, was gunned down in the early hours of Saturday morning, August 9.

Mkhwanazi stated that the officer was killed in the line of duty while attending to a business robbery in progress in Schoemansdal near Komatipoort.

The National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola said this is not only an attack on the justice and crime prevention security cluster, but a direct attack on the authority of the rule of law and the state. 

In the last financial year, 27 men and women in blue died in the line of duty. From the first of April 2025 to date, six police officers have lost their lives to criminal attacks and ambushes.

“These are not just numbers; they were mothers and fathers who have left families behind to fend for themselves. Most of them were breadwinners in their households, but most importantly, they were members who dedicated and lay down their lives in the line of duty by ensuring that all people living in South Africa are safe and protected from callous criminals,” Masemola said. 

He said it cannot be that they remain silent, and it cannot be that it is business as usual when criminals have declared war on the authority of the state. 

“I am making this call again to all police officers in the country: do not die with the tools and resources that we have given you. The men and women in blue must act appropriately when circumstances allow them to act. Remember to always use force that is proportional to the threat. I plead with you, do not let your guard down; always be a step ahead of these criminals to ensure the safety and security of the people of this country,” Masemola said. 

Police urged anyone with information regarding the shooting incident to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or visit the MySAPS application. 

robin.francke@iol.co.za 

IOL