Manhunt Launched for 4 Suspects in Coffee Bay Attack, Eastern Cape

National Police Commissioner Khehla Sitole has ordered an immediate manhunt for the suspects in the killing of a Constable in Coffee Bay in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, last night.

Two constables were attending to a complaint at Zindidi Location in Coffee Bay, shortly before midnight, when they were approached by four men pretending to seek help.

Two of the four men approached the police vehicle on the driver’s side while the other two approached from the passenger’s side.

Without any warning, one of the suspects shot the driver – killing him instantly.

The second police member was forced by the gang to carry his dead partner, and together with the complainant, they were all locked in the back of the police van.

One of the suspects drove the police vehicle to a nearby shop where they ordered security to open the gate.

They then went up to the shop-owner’s house and robbed him of an undisclosed amount of money and alcohol, and fled in the owner’s Nissan Navara leaving behind the surviving police constanble and the complainant locked in the rear of the police vehicle.

The Navara was later found abandoned on the way to Mqanduli.

The suspects also took a state-owned 9mm pistol with several rounds of ammunition from one of the police officers, a police bullet-proof vest and both members’ cell phones.

General Sitole said: “I have tasked the Provincial Commissioner in the Eastern Cape to mobilise the 72-hour Activation Plan which entails the mobilisation of critical resources as an effort to ensure that no information, intelligence or evidence to successfully trace the suspects is lost.

“We will not rest until these suspects are found and brought to book for this shocking and callous murder.

“We call upon anyone who may have any information on the whereabouts of these suspects to please contact our Crime Stop number 086 00 10111 or one may download the SAPS MySAPSApp on any Android or iPhone.”

Callers may remain anonymous and all information will be treated with the strictest confidence. – SANews.gov.za