A police officer was shot dead in Actonville, Benoni, on Friday afternoon when he confronted a man who was acting suspiciously, said North Rand police.
He was on duty and in uniform when he confronted the man, who tried to run away, said Superintendent Eugene Opperman. The police officer gave chase.
”The suspect then fired a shot, which hit the police officer in the chest. The police officer died on the scene,” he said.
”The North Rand serious and violent crime unit is at this moment following up on information which might lead to an early arrest.
”They [have] vowed not to rest until they have arrested the suspect … So we will hunt until we get him.”
Gauteng police Commissioner Perumal Naidoo and North Rand police Commissioner Joel Mokwena were at the scene in Mayet Street, said Opperman.
Naidoo expressed his condolences to the slain police officer’s family.
Opperman said the officer, whose name was being withheld, was with colleagues at the time of the incident.
Witnesses to the shooting were ”a little bit traumatised”, he said. — Sapa