Three suspects killed in Eswatini during cross-border manhunt for SAPS officer's murder
General Masemola praises Eswatini Police for their role in solving officer's murder.
Image: SAPS
National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, has expressed gratitude to the Commissioner of the Royal Eswatini Police, Commissioner Vusie Manoma Masango, for the swift cooperation in tracing three suspects responsible for the murder of a South African police officer in the Kingdom of Eswatini.
The cross-border operation, led by the Acting Provincial Commissioner of Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, successfully identified the suspects involved in the killing of Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni.
Sergeant Mtshweni was shot and killed by more than seven armed robbers during a store robbery in Schoemansdal, Mpumalanga, on Friday, August 8.
The first suspect was apprehended in South Africa on Saturday, August 9, by Mpumalanga police.
Investigations then extended into Eswatini, where the Royal Eswatini Police and the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force were brought in to assist.
"According to the Royal Eswatini Police, two suspects were traced to the Sishweleni region. When they noticed police, they opened fire, and the Eswatini Royal Police returned fire, fatally shooting the two suspects," said SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.
Further inquiries led Eswatini police to Mantambe in Shiselweni, where the third suspect allegedly took his own life with a firearm before officers could arrest him.
General Masemola praised the operation as a significant achievement in cross-border law enforcement.
"On behalf of all the men and women in blue and the family of Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni, we would like to thank the Royal Eswatini Police, led by Commissioner Masango, as well as the Umbutfo Defence Force, for assisting our Mpumalanga police to trace these killers.
"The attacks and killings of our police officers remain a serious concern, and we urge communities to assist in putting a stop to these crimes. From April 1, 2025, to date, six officers have already been lost. We cannot afford to lose more and need as many boots on the ground as possible to prevent and combat crime," said Masemola.
This breakthrough comes as SAPS continues its search for Jabulani Moyo, who shot and killed two detectives while being transported to Boksburg Correctional Services following an armed robbery court appearance. SAPS has offered R150,000 for information leading to Moyo's capture.
The SAPS leadership, led by General Masemola, will attend the funerals of three officers who died in the line of duty this past week:
Warrant Officer Vuyisile Sintwa – Sunday, August 17, Mandilore, Krugersdorp
Sergeant Simon Masenye – Saturday, August 16, Munsieville
Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni – Saturday, 16, Schoemansdal
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