JUST IN | Two Eastern Cape police officers shot dead responding to spaza shop attack - IOL

Two Eastern Cape police officers shot dead while responding to spaza shop robbery on Friday morning.

Two Eastern Cape police officers were shot and killed while responding to a call for assistance at a spaza shop in Ziphunzana Location, Libode, near Mthatha, in the early hours of Friday.

The officers, aged 51 and 30, were members of the Mthatha National Intervention Unit and Mthatha Public Order Policing Unit, respectively, provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said.

Gantana said police received a report that armed suspects were attacking a spaza shop and demanding money from the shop operator.

The two officers responded to the call and were later found with gunshot wounds. Their service pistols were missing.

She said a cordless grinder, believed to have been used to cut through the shop's burglar door, was found at the scene.

Police are investigating two counts of murder, two counts of attacking police, two counts of robbery of police firearms and one count of attempted business robbery.

Gantana said a multidisciplinary team has been deployed to the scene, while a 72-hour plan has been activated to trace and arrest the suspects. Preliminary intelligence is being followed up, Gantana said.

The deceased officers' names will be released once their next of kin have been notified.

Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata condemned the killings.

“The brutal murder of our members is an attack on the state, and we will not rest until those responsible are arrested and prosecuted,” Ncata said.

“We send our deepest condolences to their families and colleagues, and we will support them through this difficult time.”

Police urged anyone with information about the incident to contact their nearest police station or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Information can also be submitted through the MySAPS app.

Police said all information would be treated confidentially.