JMPD Raises Alarm After Three Off-Duty Officials Were Attacked in One Week, Two of Them Killed

• JMPD Traffic Warden Reagan Joseph was fatally shot inside his private vehicle in Turffontein on 1 October 2026, with two children present during the attack
• Joseph's death is the third violent incident targeting JMPD personnel within a single week, with all three officials off duty at the time
• The department has appealed for information and confirmed it is working with SAPS to apprehend those responsible

JOHANNESBURG — Three Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) staff members have been attacked in just one week, and two of them have died. The department says it is deeply worried.

The latest attack happened on Thursday, 1 October 2026, in Turffontein. Traffic Warden Reagan Joseph was sitting in his own car, a white Volkswagen Citi Golf, when he was shot. Two children were inside the car with him. One child was shot in the head. Officials were still checking how badly the other child was hurt. Joseph died at the scene.

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Two other officials were attacked a few days earlier

The week before, two more JMPD members were targeted. On Saturday, 26 September 2026, 34-year-old Security Officer Kwanele Buthelezi was taken during a hijacking in Lenasia South. His body was later found in Finetown, Grasmere. The next day, Sunday, 27 September 2026, another JMPD officer was hijacked and shot in Finetown, Grasmere. He is still in hospital.

The JMPD said none of the three was working when they were attacked.

The department described the incidents as a "disturbing and violent trend" and called the attacks a direct assault on the rule of law. It extended condolences to the families of Warden Joseph and Security Officer Buthelezi, and expressed wishes for the recovery of the hospitalised officer and the injured child.

The JMPD confirmed that investigations are underway in collaboration with the South African Police Service, and urged anyone with information to come forward.

See the media release here.

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More on JMPD and crime in Johannesburg

• Briefly News recently reported on a 34-year-old metro officer abducted during a carjacking in Lenasia South, where he was later found.
• A taxi driver came running out of a nearby shop when he spotted metro police driving his vehicle away.
• A political party is about to be fined by the JMPD after a campaign event on a major highway, and its leader has admitted what was missing.

Source: Briefly News