Kwazulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu, has called for an investigation into the death of two Durban police officers who were found killed in a Bluff flat at the weekend.
Constable Lungiswa Nontuthuzeko Mashalaba (32) of Wentworth South African Police Service (SAPS) and Colonel Sipho Zuma (48) died when shots were fired at a granny flat rented by Mashaba. The motive for attack is unknown at this stage and police have opened a docket of murder.
Their death comes just a fortnight after three police officers were killed in separate incidents in KwaZulu-Natal. Today (Tuesday, 2 September 2014), Mchunu expressed shock at the death of the two, saying he was getting increasingly concerned at the trend of the killing of police officers in KwaZulu-Natal.
“This is very disturbing as it comes just weeks after we lost three other police officers in the province. While the motive and the circumstances under which the two died are still unclear, we are very concerned at the growing trend in the province where police were being killed.
“As the society we need to begin to ask ourselves serious questions about this disturbing trend where police officers were being targeted for murder. Police officers are a shield between defenceless communities and criminals and all needs to be done to ensure that they were appreciated and enjoyed the support of communities,” said Mchunu.
Mchunu expressed hope that police would soon get into the bottom of this killing and those responsible would soon face the full might of the law. He also extended his heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the two killed police officers.
Media contact:
Sipho Khumalo
Cell: 082 682 6437
Email: Sipho.khumalo@comsafety.gov.za
Kwanele Ncalane
Cell: 072 803 1462 or 079 6995755
Email: Kwanele.ncalane@kzntransport.gov.za
