Eswatini Police Shoot and Kill Suspects Who Allegedly Murdered South African Police Officer

• The Eswatini police shot and killed two suspects who were wanted in connection with the murder of a police officer in Mpumalanga
• The suspects were gunned down in a cross-border operation, which was led by the South African Police Service's Mpumalanga Provincial Commissioner Zeph Mkhwanazi
• South Africans saluted the two forces, and the national commissioner, Fannie Masemola, extended his gratitude to the Eswatini police

Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, covered a range of criminal activities, including cash-in-transit heists, kidnappings, taxi violence, police investigations, police shootouts, and court cases at Daily Sun for over three years.

SHISELWENI REGION, ESWATINI — The South African Police Service (SAPS) and Eswatini police worked together in an operation in which Eswatini police shot and killed two suspects who allegedly killed a police officer on 8 August 2925.

According to SAPS, three suspects escaped from Mpumalanga and headed into Eswatini in the Shiselweni Region. The suspects were part of a group of seven robbers who allegedly shot and killed Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni during an armed robbery at a Schoemansdal shop in Mpumalanga. One suspect was arrested on the following day. However, the other suspects escaped.

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The Royal Eswatini Police traced two of the suspects to the Shiselweni Region. A shootout between the suspects and the police ensued, and two of them were gunned down after they opened fire on the police. The police also followed information that led them to Mantambe, where the third suspect allegedly killed himself before he was arrested.

What did Fannie Masemola say?

The National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, praised the Eswatini Police for the cross-border operation. He said that SAPS looks forward to strengthening the cooperation with Eswatini's police force.

Police officers killed in 2025

Two QwaQwa, Free State policemen were shot and killed on 4 January 2025 while responding to a robbery in Mangailung village. The constables were called to a house robbery at about 10pm. One suspect emerged from the house and opened fire at the officers. One member was killed, and his pistol was taken.

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A police officer was shot and killed near a mosque in Athlone in Cape Town, Western Cape. The constable and another woman were exiting the vehicle when two armed men approached them and opened fire, killing the officer. The woman with her was rushed to the hospital.

What did South Africans say?

Netizens commenting on Facebook praised the police.

Nathii Mash said:

"The turnaround is very impressive. We request the deployment of Mpumalanga SAPS detectives to trace Moyo."

Sol Mathebula said:

"These are the kinds of news that give us hope that criminals will meet their maker when they kill law enforcement officers."

Sicelo Mntungwa said:

"All corners must have Mkhwanazis to counter crime."

Lincelani Lidz said:

"People take chances. They don't learn. You can never touch a police officer and live to tell the story."

North West female officer killed

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In a related article, Briefly News reported that a Jouberton, Kleksdorp police officer was shot and killed in broad daylight on 14 January 2025. The incident happened while she was in full uniform.

Police officers found three empty cartridges on the scene. The officer sustained gunshot wounds to the right jaw and hand.

Source: Briefly News