The National Commissioner of Police General Khehla John Sitole has condemned the senseless killing of an off duty police officer yesterday in Phomulong informal settlement in Atteridgeville, Gauteng.
Indications from the preliminary investigations are that Constable Stevens Oubaas Mangwane aged 32, and his 29-year-old friend had just alighted from a taxi when they were confronted by two unknown men. The friend managed to run to the nearby houses to call for help when she heard the sound of a gunshot. When she returned with people to assist, they found Mangwane’s body on the ground.
The local police were called and immediately instituted the 72-Hour Activation Plan.
Mangwane had just started his career in the Police, with only over a year of service and he was stationed in SAPS Vosman in Mpumalanga Province. He is home is originally from Lefisoane Village near KwaMhlanga and he was visiting relatives in Atteridgeville at the time he was killed.
General Sitole has condemned the attack on the member and conveyed his condolences to the family. “The senseless attack on police officers is a continuing attack on the State. All the necessary resources as per the 72-Hour Activation Plan have been mobilised and we are not going to leave any stone unturned. The perpetrators of this heinous crime will be identified and the law will take its course. My sincere heartfelt condolences to the family of Constable Mangwane,” said General Sitole.