Hawks head Lieutenant-General Mthandazo Ntlemeza said he was “deeply disturbed by the brutal murder of three police officers this past week in the Western Cape”.

A statement from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation quoted Ntlemeza as saying police attacks remain a priority crime as they threatens the safety of communities in the country.

“We shall continue to relentlessly pursue all responsible in carrying out the directorate’s mandate of ensuring that all people are and feel safe in the country‚ an attack on a police officer is an attack on the state‚” he said.

The officers killed were:

- Constable Masibonge Mqwada‚ 33‚ allegedly shot and killed in Kraaifontein whilst reportedly dropping of a relative just after 1am on Saturday‚ by three armed assailants in an apparent hijacking attempt.

- Constable Thandoxolo Ndiki‚ 30‚ was found lying on a street pavement in Delft at around 3.30am on Saturday‚ with what appeared to be gunshot wound to the upper body. His vehicle was recovered in Muizenberg on Sunday afternoon.

- Constable Amanda Ladlokova was shot and killed whilst on Tuesday night whilst on duty in Philippi East.

Hawks spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha said one suspect has already been arrested and appeared in court during the past week for the alleged murder of Ladlokova.

“Meanwhile‚ as investigations continues‚ the outstanding perpetrators are still being sought and we shall not rest until they are found. The public is urged to provide any information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects. Information supplied will be treated with confidentiality‚” added Ramovha. — TMG Digital