Police in KwaZulu-Natal have initiated an extensive search for a group of armed individuals following a violent confrontation in Greytown on Thursday afternoon, which resulted in the death of a female Station Commander and left a Sergeant injured.
The incident took place when the Station Commander, who held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, led her team in response to an ongoing business robbery in Greytown.
During this robbery, the shop owner sustained gunshot wounds, and several employees were physically assaulted.
A minimum of ten suspects escaped the scene in a Toyota Quantum.
Collaborating with private security personnel, the Lieutenant Colonel led a high-speed chase that culminated in the interception of the getaway vehicle on the R33 road toward Msinga.
When cornered, the suspects opened fire on the police, resulting in a fierce exchange of gunfire.
The Station Commander was shot during this confrontation and was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
A Sergeant suffered a gunshot wound to the arm and was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for urgent care.
In response, police fired back, resulting in the deaths of two suspects at the location.
A third suspect was injured, apprehended, and transported to the hospital under police supervision. Officers recovered three illegal firearms from the suspects, including two high-caliber rifles and a handgun.
The remaining suspects fled into the nearby mountainous area, evading capture.
Major General Phumelele Makoba, the Acting Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal, condemned the attack and promised a relentless effort to track down the fugitives.
“An attack on police officers is an attack on the State, and police will use every available resource to trace the suspects. The suspects will know no peace as police hunt them day and night,” Makoba stated.
In honoring the fallen officer, Makoba remarked, “On behalf of the management of police in KwaZulu-Natal and the entire workforce, I send our heartfelt words of condolences to the family of the fallen heroine. The least we can offer now is justice, and we shall find the suspects, dead or alive.”
Police operations are ongoing in the Greytown and Msinga regions as tactical units search the mountains for the remaining suspects.
