​I wish to express my sincerest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the two officers.
The officers were shot and seriously wounded in Sweet Homes Philippi. They were assigned to protecting workers engaged in a construction project from attacks when they came under attack.

They were airlifted to the hospital where they have both since passed. The City condemns this gratuitous act of extreme violence perpetrated against the officers who were serving the community. The City will assist SAPS in leaving no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators to justice so they can answer for their cowardly deeds.

‘We have lost members who gave their lives to protect others, while their families lost loved ones and breadwinners. I urge communities to respect the law and the officers charged with their safekeeping. We need to respect our law enforcement officials who serve our communities and safeguard lives and property’, said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

Similarly, I want to urge communities to come forward with information about the perpetrators of these dastardly acts and help rid their neighbourhoods of these criminals.

End