The long arm of the law has come down hard on the killers of two Eastern Cape police officers, with two suspects arrested and three others fatally wounded during an intense manhunt in Libode.
Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane has applauded the Eastern Cape SAPS for their swift and ruthless response following the brutal killing of Warrant Officer Thando Magoxo and Constable Ntlahla Tyhali.
The officers were killed in the line of duty, sparking outrage and triggering an immediate 72-hour activation plan that saw elite units, intelligence operatives and tracking teams swarm the area.
In a statement on Friday, SAPS management confirmed that the intelligence-driven operation had already yielded major results.
“The activation of a 72-hour operational plan, coupled with intelligence gathering, tracking and coordinated multidisciplinary operations, has resulted in two suspects being arrested, while three other suspects were fatally wounded during police operations aimed at tracing those linked to the killing of the two officers,” police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata, led the operation on the ground, coordinating multidisciplinary teams that worked through the night to trace the suspects who allegedly attacked the officers and stole their firearms.
For Acting National Commissioner Dimpane, the operation sends a clear message that an attack on police is an attack on the State itself.
“The speed with which the operation was activated and the subsequent progress in tracing the suspects demonstrate the resolve of the SAPS to pursue those who attack our members, steal police firearms and undermine the authority of the State,” she said.
“Police officers are representatives of the State, and attacks against them strike at the rule of law and the authority vested in the police to protect communities and maintain public order. Such acts will not be tolerated.”
Dimpane warned criminals criminals who target police.
“We will not allow criminals to believe that they can attack police officers, steal their firearms and operate with impunity. Our response must be swift, intelligence-driven and uncompromising, within the law. The arrest of two suspects and the fatal wounding of three others demonstrates that our members are pursuing every available lead,” she said.
She also commended Lt Gen Ncata and his teams for their relentless pursuit of justice.
“The Acting National Commissioner has commended the Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata, and the multidisciplinary teams involved for their continued commitment to ensuring that those responsible are brought before the courts to face the full might of the law,” the statement read.
While the operational success has been welcomed, the SAPS is still mourning the loss of two of its own.
“We remain deeply saddened by the loss of Warrant Officer Thando Magoxo and Constable Ntlahla Tyhali. Their families, colleagues and loved ones remain in our thoughts. We will continue to support them while ensuring that the work these members were doing in service to the people of South Africa does not stop,” Dimpane said.
The two arrested suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
