National police commissioner General Khehla Sitole has condemned the attack on the Ngcobo police station, which claimed the lives of six people, in the early hours of this morning.
A group of armed suspects had entered the police station and, without warning, had opened fire on members of duty.
Three policemen died in the Community Service Centre. An off duty soldier was also shot dead as the suspects were leaving.
The suspects abducted two police officers in a police van and both were later found shot dead next to the road about six kilometers from the police station.
Spokesperson for the national commissioner Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo indicated in a statement today that, according to preliminary investigations, both appear to have been shot execution style.
“I am appalled and deeply saddened by the cold and callous attack on our colleagues this morning, ” Sithole said.
He said a task team had been put in place comprising experienced detectives of the SAPS and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation to investigate the attack.
The team would be supported by specialised medium to high risk teams with the added support of the Airwing.
“We will not rest until we have tracked down these heartless killers and have brought them to book.
Sithole has called on the community to assist with any information that could help identify and lead to the arrests of the perpetrators.
He said that while the motive for the attack was not yet clear, it had been established that the suspects had robbed an ATM a short distance away from the police station and that 10 firearms and a police van had been stolen from the station.
Information can be communicated to the police Crime Stop Number 086 00 1011. Callers may remain anonymous and all information will be treated in confidence.
