Eastern Cape Shootouts: Police Gunfire Kills Mthatha Teen, Off Duty Robbery Suspected Mqanduli Cop

• Police gunfire killed an off-duty cop and a teenager at a boarding school in separate incidents in the Eastern Cape
• A Sergeant reportedly fired at police at an apparent robbery scene while, at the boarding, cops fired warning shots
• Police opened an inquest for the Mqanduli incident and a murder case in the Mthatha boarding school incident
• IPID spokesperson Phaladi Shuping confirmed to Briefly News that the police watchdog had overtaken the case

ZWELITSHA — An off-duty Sergeant and a teenager — and not the typically expected criminals — died at the end of police gunfire in different parts of the Eastern Cape at the weekend.

In Mthatha, police are investigating the murder of an eighteen-year-old teenager at a residential property.

Police gunfire kills off-duty cop, teen

Reports suggest that an Excelsior Comprehensive School grade 12 pupil sustained a fatal gunshot wound after police raided a house party.

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The officers allegedly fired shots, sparking a commotion and prompting a group of boys to run outside. In the aftermath, one lay on the ground dead.

"It is believed the incident occurred in the early hours at Mabutho Street, North Crest, in Mthatha, on Sunday, 3 November 2024," said Lt-Col Siphokazi Mawisa.

"A murder case was transferred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for further investigation to determine the circumstances."

Speaking to Briefly News, IPID spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said Flying Squad members had gone to conduct a raid at a residence.

"When they arrived at the house, the occupants allegedly ran away, and the police allegedly fired shots," said Shuping.

"One person was fatally wounded [and found] in the garden. The incident happened at around 2am on Sunday and was reported to IPID."

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Investigators have since visited the scene.

Meanwhile, police opened an inquest docket after an off-duty Sergeant was killed during a shootout with Mthatha Tactical Response Team (TRT) members in Mqanduli on Sunday afternoon.

"Operationalised intelligence information about armed suspects led police to a bottle store in Dobe location at about 4pm.

"On seeing the police, the suspects ran in different directions," said provincial police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli.

A suspect, near the bottle store entrance, opened fire and sustained several gunshot wounds when police returned fire.

"Police recovered an unlicensed revolver, and a [subsequent] preliminary investigation revealed that it was stolen in Hillbrow in 2021.

"It [later] transpired that the deceased suspect was an off-duty Sergeant from Madeira police station," said Nkohli.

Constable kills lover, friend and himself

In related news, Briefly News reported that a policeman in Lichtenburg in the North-West shot and killed two people and wounded a third person before turning the gun on himself.

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North West police constable shoots and kills lover, friend and turns gun on himself

Constable Lesego Phefo died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the incident in the early hours of Saturday, 2 November.

Source: Briefly News