SAPS
Two suspects wanted for the murder of a policeman in Mpumalanga, were killed in a shootout with Lesotho police, while a third suspect took his own life as police approached.
National police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, said that the suspects were wanted for the murder of Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni, who was killed in a shootout when police confronted a group of armed robbers at a store in Schoemandal on 8 August.
She said the first suspect was arrested last Saturday in South Africa by Mpumalanga police, with the investigation leading them further to Lesotho where the information was shared with the Royal Eswatini Police as well as the Defence Force.
“According to the Royal Eswatini Police, two suspects were traced to the Sishweleni region. When they noticed police, they opened fire at them and the Eswatini Royal Police returned fire, fatally killing the two suspects.
“Further investigation led Eswatini police to Mantambe in Shiselweni where the third suspect allegedly took his own life with a pistol before police officers could arrest him,” Mathe said.
She said that National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, praised the cross-border operation.
“On behalf of all the men and women in blue and the family of Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni, we would like to thank the Royal Eswatini Police led by Commissioner Masango as well as the role played by the Umbutfo Defence Force in assisting our Mpumalanga police to trace these police killers.
“We are looking forward to strengthening and deepening our cooperation on matters of law enforcement,” he said.
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