A police official and an alleged extortionist from Mthatha West, Sakhumzi Mareke (42), were fatally shot in a shootout at the National Intervention Unit (NIU) in Mthatha yesterday, September 4.
Two other suspects were also fatally shot in the shootout.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa confirmed that one of the deceased persons was Mareke from Mthatha West and was a person of interest in several incidents of extortion in the Mthatha area.
According to Mawisa, in one of the attempts to suppress criminal activities in Mthatha, members attached to the National Intervention Unit (NIU) were involved in a disruptive operation in Mthatha West.
“On completion of the operation, members proceeded to their unit premises at the Embassy Building in Mthatha. On their way, they noticed that they were being followed by two vehicles, a Nissan Qashqai and a Toyota Fortuner. As members arrived at the premises, the two suspicious vehicles stopped behind them, and three men armed with firearms alighted and immediately opened fire,” said Mawisa.
She added that police retaliated, fatally wounding the three men.
According to her, one of the police officers, a Warrant Officer in his forties, sustained a gunshot wound and was rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
“A case of attempted murder was opened for further investigation. An inquest docket was also opened and will be transferred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for further handling. Three firearms with ammunition were also recovered from the scene.”
Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, said that this was one of the worst forms of attack on police.
“The incident was shocking and despicable. The members are urged to be on alert at all times and must always heed safety precautionary measures and be operationally ready,” she added.
