Maximum police resources be deployed to find and arrest the suspects responsible for the brutal killing of two police officers in the Eastern Cape

The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has ordered that maximum police resources be deployed to find and arrest the suspects responsible for the brutal killing of two police officers in the early hours of Friday, 18 September 2026, at Ziphunzana Location in Libode, near Mthatha, in the Eastern Cape.

The two members, aged 51 and 30, were attached to the Mthatha #NationalIntervention Unit and Mthatha #PublicOrderPolicing Unit respectively.

The members placed themselves on duty in the early hours of the morning after responding to a call for assistance relating to an alleged business robbery at a spaza shop in the area.

The two officers were subsequently found with gunshot wounds. Their service pistols were also taken by the perpetrators.

The Acting National Commissioner has directed that no resources be spared in the pursuit of the perpetrators. A multidisciplinary team has been mobilised. 

“The killing of two police officers who were responding to a call for assistance is an attack on the men and women who place themselves in harm’s way to protect our communities and an attack on the authority of the State. I have directed that maximum resources be deployed to this investigation. The Eastern Cape will leave no stone unturned and will leave nothing to chance in ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.

We will find the killers, and we will find the firearms that were taken from our members. Those firearms must be recovered and returned to the SAPS,” said Lieutenant General Dimpane.

The Acting National Commissioner has further conveyed her deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the two fallen officers.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones in such tragic and violent circumstances. These members answered a call for assistance and paid the ultimate price while performing their duty. We will stand with their families and colleagues during this difficult period. As the #SAPS, we will not rest until those responsible for this heinous crime are found, arrested, and face the full might of the law.”

The investigation continues, and preliminary intelligence is being followed up by the multidisciplinary team.