Picture: Minister of Police, Bheki Cele visiting families of slain cops in Kimberley/Twitter
By OBAKENG MAJE
Minister of Police, Bheki Cele said the fact that, the suspect who allegedly shot and killed two police officers attached to the Flying Squad Unit has had numerous brushes with the law for various crimes such as theft and trafficking, but yet he was a free man is heart-breaking.
Cele said this during his visit to the families of two slain cops today in Kimberley. Constable Okaetse Mandindi (35) and Sergeant Kedimetse Masilo (45) were brutally killed during a shoot-out in Kimberley yesterday.
According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Brig Brig Mashay Gamieldien, Mandindi, and Masilo were following up on information about a stolen hired sedan that was allegedly stolen and en route from Bloemfontein when the atrocity took place. She further said, the vehicle was spotted in Kimberley and the two police officials reacted when they spotted it.
“The police officers gave chase and followed the stolen vehicle into the Transnet premises, where the suspect allegedly crashed the bakkie and fled the scene on foot.
“The police officers gave chase and were sadly fired upon, which led to the fatal shooting of them. The armed suspect fled the scene on foot, but was later arrested,” added Gamieldien.
Cele said the slain cops were killed brutally killed by a serial criminal.
“The suspect had numerous brushes with the law. He was arrested for fraud, trafficking, and theft cases. The Police Ministry appreciates the decision by the South African Police Service (SAPS) management to revisit the training of police officers at SAPS training colleges.
“This move comes off the back of a surge in police killings in the country. 31 police officers were killed on and off duty between April and June 2023. The police management used the comfort visit to update the bereaved families on police investigations into the murders,” he said.
Cele said, unfortunately, the arrest of this criminal would not bring back the slain officers. He said it is painful when hard-working police officers, who dedicate their lives to keeping their communities safe are brutally killed by ruthless thugs, even more painful is a case where a suspect has been previously arrested by the police for various other crimes.
“This suspect had no business being out in society as he had several brushes with the law in other parts of the country and should have been behind bars.
“We welcome the commitment made by the National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola to upskill the tactical and street survival training at all police colleges. This process will run parallel with the improvement in the safety awareness programs of operational officers within the service,” said Cele.
Meanwhile, the National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola lauded the police for the swift arrest of the suspect. The suspect is expected to appear before the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on a number of charges including two counts of murder.
The Guardian 