JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Gauteng Police confirmed Friday the arrest of multiple suspects in connection with the murder of JMPD officer Matome Mokoena, who was fatally shot while on duty in Vlakfontein.
Mokoena and his colleague were responding to a robbery call when they stopped a vehicle matching the suspects’ description, leading to the deadly confrontation.
“As Mokoena and his colleague approached the vehicle on the driver’s side, shots were fired from inside the car. Both officers were wearing bulletproof vests and took cover, however, the suspects tracked Mokoena to a nearby home,” police reported in a statement.
The assailants shot Mokoena, stole his service pistol, and fled in the marked patrol vehicle, which authorities later recovered in Lenasia after remotely disabling it.
According to SABC reports, the same armed individuals are believed to have killed another person in the area that same night, escalating concerns about violent crime in the region.
The City of Johannesburg’s public safety committee has characterized Mokoena’s killing as a direct attack on the city’s safety infrastructure, highlighting the dangers faced by law enforcement officials.
Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, MMC for Public Safety, welcomed the arrests and praised the operation’s success. “We commend the exceptional work done by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Tactical Response Unit (TRU), K9 unit, and all JMPD officers involved in the operation,” he stated.
Tshwaku further urged the South African Police Service to ensure the suspects remain in detention and “face the full consequences of the law for their heinous actions.”
The swift arrests came after an intensive manhunt involving multiple specialized police units working in coordination to track down the suspects.
Authorities have not yet released information regarding court appearances or specific charges, though murder of a police officer typically carries severe penalties under South African law.
The incident has prompted renewed calls for enhanced safety measures for law enforcement officers responding to potentially dangerous situations across Johannesburg.
