Off Duty, Traffic Cop Shot Dead During Hijacking | 2 in Hospital

An off-duty traffic cop was shot dead during a hijacking by criminals. Police said the traffic cop was driving his VW Polo hatchback with his two friends. During the incident two armed suspects abruptly emerged alongside the road, wielding a firearm.

Off duty traffic cop dragged out his car

Police said identified the vehicle’s number plate as HLL 305 MP. In a statement, the police said the suspects ordered the driver (traffic cop) however, he drove off and did not stop. The criminals are said to have fired shots at the vehicle injuring him. The traffic cop subsequently stopped the vehicle whereby the suspects rounded them up and allegedly dragged the injured traffic cop as well as his two friends out. The suspects are said to have then driven away with the victim’s car.

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Police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said the victims were taken to the nearby hospital by other motorists where the injured traffic officer, unfortunately, succumbed to his injuries. He has since been identified by his family as Thabo Mashego.

Nelspruit: 23 July 2022 – The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has strongly condemned an incident in which an off-duty traffic officer, aged 35 was fatally shot at Saselani Trust near Bushbuckridge. The horrific incident occurred in the evening of Friday, 22 July 2022 around 21h00.

Police at Bushbuckridge have opened a case of hijacking with an additional charge of murder and a manhunt was launched for the suspects. Mohlala said it is unclear whether the suspects knew whether Mashigo was a traffic law enforcement officer or not.

Police urged members of the public to come forward with any information that may assist in apprehending the perpetrators.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has condemned the barbaric act and called for the swift arrest of the suspects.

We cannot allow this senseless killing to continue whereby perpetrators not only take the victims’ belongings but also their lives. Those suspects must be hunted down and be quickly brought to book” said the General

Meanwhile, the Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Vusi Shongwe, has expressed deep shock at the killing of the traffic cop who was attached to the department. The 35-year-old Mashigo was stationed at Mapulaneng Cost Centre.

Shongwe has condemned this this act saying that the police should spare no effort to bring these cowards to justice. He further conveyed his condolences to the Mashego family.

Our police should not rest until the perpetrators are behind bars. We are also appealing to our communities who may have any information regarding the case to come forward and assist the police.