Two police officers killed responding to spaza shop robbery in Libode

Two police officers were shot and killed while responding to an alleged robbery at a spaza shop in Ziphunzana Location, Libode, near Mthatha, in the Eastern Cape, in the early hours of Friday.

The officers, aged 51 and 30, were members of the Mthatha National Intervention Unit and Mthatha Public Order Policing Unit.

According to police, armed suspects were allegedly attacking the spaza shop and demanding money from the operator when the officers responded to a call for assistance.

The two officers were later found with gunshot wounds. Their service pistols were also missing.

A cordless grinder, which police believe was used to cut through the shop's burglar door, was recovered at the scene.

The incident is being investigated as two counts of murder, two counts of attacking police officers, two counts of robbery of police firearms and one count of attempted business robbery.

A multidisciplinary team has been deployed to the scene, while police have activated a 72-hour plan to track down and arrest the suspects.

Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata condemned the killings and described the incident as an attack on the state.

“We will not rest until those responsible are arrested and prosecuted,” Ncata said.

The names of the deceased officers will be released once their families have been notified.

Police have urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact their nearest police station or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Information can also be submitted through the MySAPS App and will be treated confidentially.