The Mthatha High Court has sentenced four accused to five life terms each for the 2018 Engcobo police station attack that claimed the lives of five on-duty police officers, bringing the total number of accused sentenced in this case to five.
National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, condemned the attack as the worst display of disrespect and undermining of the rule of law.
In February 2018, the convicted disarmed the police officers of their service pistols and shot them, also robbing the station of 10 firearms, including rifles, 9mm pistols, and ammunition.
Masemola stated that attacks on police officers would not be tolerated, as they undermine the authority of the state. He warned that those attacking police officers would face the full wrath of the law through prosecution.
“The conviction serves as a reminder to criminals that they will be caught and brought to justice,” he said.
Masemola further commended the investigating team, including detectives, crime scene experts, prosecutors, and the courts, for their tireless efforts in securing justice for the fallen officers’ families.
The SAPS flag continues to fly in honour of the brave men and women in blue who died in the line of duty.
“The fallen officers, Warrant Officer Zuko Mbini, 46, Constable Kuhle Mateta, 27, Constable Nkosiphendule Pongco, 32, Constable Sibongiseni Sandlana, 32, and Constable Zuko Nelson Ntsheku, 38, will always be remembered for their ultimate sacrifice,” he said.
In a separate incident, seven other suspects were shot and killed in 2018 during a confrontation with specialised units of the SAPS and the Hawks.
In 2021, Limpopo police were found to be hunting a gang that held officers at gunpoint and stole weapons from the Malamulele police station, near Thohoyandou.
The group of armed suspects stormed into the station and held officers at gunpoint.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe had said the suspects took R5 rifles, 9mm pistols, shotguns, and an undisclosed amount of ammunition.
She said: “At about 11pm, a group of armed suspects stormed the Malamulele police station and held members at gunpoint in the Community Service Centre.”
She added that some members were forced into the back of a police van while one member was ordered to unlock the safe where the suspects took the weapons and ammunition.
In another case, a Limpopo man stormed into the Jane Furse police station, disarmed the officer on duty, and held the rest of the staff hostage.
The suspect was later shot dead by members of the Tactical Response Team.
Masemola stressed the importance of respecting the fundamental rights of police officers and law enforcement agencies to enable them to serve and protect the people of South Africa, maintain law and order, and uphold the rule of law.
The Star