A police officer was killed and seven other officers were injured during a violent protest in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
The incident occurred on Monday, July 12, during the mass looting of Sam Ntuli Mall in Katlehong.
The slain officer has been identified as Meshack Mahlangu. He was based at the Zonkizizwe precinct.
The officer's colleagues who witnessed the incident have been provided with the necessary professional support, an official statement by The City of Ekurhulen read.
Seven other officers were injured during the attack. Three of the officers are from Kwazulu-Natal and four are from Gauteng.
"The police officers responded to information that protestors were flooding the mall, when criminals opened fire on them while monitoring the situation and trying to maintain law, order, peace, and stability in the area," a statement read.
"The deceased officer succumbed to the injuries after an ambulance could not get access to the scene of the incident due to road closures in the area."
The officers are recovering from their injuries, Colonel Brenda Muridili, the spokesperson of NatJOINTS, said.
"The NatJOINTS has also sent condolences to the family of the deceased EMPD Officer Meshack Mahlangu and wished the injured SAPS members a speedy recovery," she said.
"The SAPS, Defence and SSA as co-chairpersons of the NatJOINTS have condemned the attacks on law enforcement officers which have now resulted in the death of an officer from Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department, while seven SAPS members are recovering from injuries sustained while responding to violent protests."
The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Commissioner, Mr. Isaac Jabulani Mapiyeye has appealed for peace and order especially during these times when the country is dealing with the deadly Covid-19 pandemic.
"It is regrettable that the officer died on the hands of the community he worked so hard to serve and save, it is extremely unfortunate that we have lost such a dedicated member of staff who respected and loved serving the people. We do hope that the community will assist us find the perpetrators of this senseless act and put them behind bars where they below," Jabulani said.
