Police officer killed in Lillydale, suspects at large | Mpumalanga News

An off-duty policeman was shot and killed by unknown suspects in Lillydale on Friday.

According to the Mpumalanga SAPS spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, the police were alerted to a shooting incident. Upon their arrival at the scene, they discovered a half-naked man lying on the ground, unresponsive and facing upwards.

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Paramedics were called and they declared him dead. The victim was found with multiple gunshot wounds.”

Ndubane said the deceased has been identified as 29-year-old Constable Khulani Shabangu, who was stationed at the Volksrust Police Station and served under the Visible Policing Unit. He had served in the SAPS for five years.

The preliminary investigations indicate that Shabangu was visiting the area and had parked his private vehicle outside a barbershop. While inside, two armed suspects stormed in and ordered everyone to lie down. The suspects robbed the victims of their cell phones. “Shabangu was then instructed to undress. The suspects took his clothing and car keys. It is further alleged that Shabangu followed them outside, where he was ambushed and shot multiple times. The suspects then fled the scene in his vehicle,” Ndubane said.

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The motive for the attack is not yet known, but the police investigations are ongoing,” she said.

The police are appealing to anyone with information that could assist in the suspects’ arrest to contact the investigating officer, Lieutenant Colonel Skhumbuzo Ceko, on 082 992 9902. Alternatively, members of the public can report anonymously via the Crime Stop hotline on 08600 10111 or through the My SAPS app.