Crime intelligence officer shot dead in Durban – Maroela Media

One officer died at the scene after being shot, while a second officer was seriously wounded. (Photo: SAPS)

The police have launched a large-scale manhunt following an armed attack on Thursday afternoon on two crime intelligence officers in the Mount Edgecombe area in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

According to Brig. Athlenda Mathe, national police spokesperson, one officer died at the scene after being shot, while a second officer was seriously wounded and taken to a hospital by air ambulance.

“The member who was the driver of the state vehicle succumbed to his gunshot wounds at the scene. A second member, who was also shot and wounded during the attack, was transported to the hospital and is currently receiving emergency medical treatment.”

Lt. Gen. Puleng Dimpane, the acting national commissioner of the police, strongly condemned the attack and described it as an attack on the state.

“This is an attack on the authority of the state and on people who risk their lives in the fight against crime,” said Dimpane.

She says all available resources have been used to track down the suspects. “We will do everything in our power to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”

Mathe says several specialized units have already been involved in the investigation, including crime intelligence, detectives and the organized crime unit.

The police expressed its condolences to the family and colleagues of the deceased and wished the injured member a speedy recovery. Employee Health and Wellbeing (EHW) psychologists and chaplains have also already been deployed to provide support.