An off-duty Johannesburg policeman was murdered in Hillbrow on Thursday afternoon.

Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Wayne Minnaar said the officer‚ from the recovery unit‚ was on foot when he was shot several times in the upper body. The incident took place at about 3pm. He was declared dead on the scene.

One suspect was arrested in the basement in a building near the crime scene in Claim Street. A second suspects remains at large and the murder weapon remains missing.

Minnaar said the officer’s gun was the only thing stolen.

“At this stage this crime is still very fresh‚ so all the possibilities will be investigated‚” he said.

Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Wayne Minnaar said the officer‚ from the recovery unit‚ was on foot when he was shot several times in the upper body.

The incident took place at about 3pm. He was declared dead on the scene.

One suspect was arrested in the basement in a building near the crime scene in Claim Street. A second suspects remains at large and the murder weapon remains missing. Minnaar said the officer’s gun was the only thing stolen.“

At this stage this crime is still very fresh‚ so all the possibilities will be investigated‚” he said. Police spokesperson captain Kay Makhubele thanked the community for identifying where the suspect was hiding whom they arrested.

“We are continuing throughout the night until we get the [second] suspect.” Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba believes they need to re-examine law enforcement in the city."

As we apprehend these criminals‚ justice must be done."Johannesburg community safety MEC Michael Sun called the murder "totally unacceptable".

"We have about 400 JMPD officers‚ 100 metro cars‚ we will find the second suspect before we leave here."

JMPD chief David Tembe said: "Our target is that if you shoot a law enforcement officer‚ within two hours they must be behind bars."