Cape Town – A member of the Hawks’ Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS) was fatally wounded during a shootout with suspects in Mamelodi on Thursday.
The officer lost his life while carrying out a mission to recover high-caliber rifles believed to be stored in a residence within the area.
The TOMS members had been conducting surveillance on a house in Mamelodi, following credible information about the presence of illegal firearms.
Acting swiftly upon receiving specific details, the team executed an operation on 8th June 2023. Their target was a shack located in the Lusaka informal settlement in Mamelodi.
“The information was operationalised and the TOMS team tactically approached the given shack. As they approached the address, the suspects took shots at the members and a shootout ensued. Three suspects were fatally shot and one TOMS member was fatally wounded. Several firearms were seized,” police spokesperson Nomthandazo Mbambo said.
#sapsHAWKS Three suspects fatally shot in a shootout with the #Hawks today in Mamelodi during an operation. A member of the Hawks’ Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS) was fatally wounded. Several firearms were seized. MEhttps://t.co/e11O9K4Y2s pic.twitter.com/qz2arpUDXn
— SA Police Service ?? (@SAPoliceService) June 8, 2023
The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya expressed his heartfelt sadness over the incident. He acknowledged the danger posed by the proliferation of illegal firearms and the devastating impact they have on innocent lives.
“The proliferation of illegal firearms in our communities is resulting not only in the murders of innocent lives but also robs us of the lives of police officers who have sworn to defend this country and its inhabitants,” said Lebeya.
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Picture: Twitter/@SAPoliceService
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
