Acting minister of Police Professor Firoz Cachalia said the SAPS will not rest until Jabulani Moyo is behind bars for the murder of two police officers who were transporting him back from court on Friday in Roodepoort, Gauteng.

The officers were shot at and disarmed in Roodepoort CBD while returning Jabulani Moyo to prison after his court appearance for a February 2023 business robbery.

Moyo was seen driving the abandoned police vehicle, which was later found kilometres from the crime scene, and police confirmed a murder case with two counts is under investigation.

The suspect is currently on the run, and a manhunt has been launched.

In a statement on Saturday, Cachalia offered the ministry’s condolences to the families of the deceased officers.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the fallen detectives. Their sacrifice in the line of duty is a stark reminder of the daily dangers faced by our police officers as they work to uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety of all South Africans,” he said.

Cachalia said South Africans owe them and every officer who puts on the blue uniform a debt of gratitude.

He said the National Commissioner of Police, General Fannie Masemola, has deployed maximum resources to track down and apprehend Moyo.

“We condemn this brazen act of violence in the strongest possible terms. An attack on the police is an attack on the state. We will not rest until Jabulani Moyo is behind bars,” said the acting Minister.

Cachalia urged the public to come forward with information on Moyo’s whereabouts immediately.

“No detail is too small, and your assistance could be critical in ensuring that justice is served,” he said.

He added that the Ministry stands with the men and women in blue. “We mourn with you. And we will continue to support you as you carry out your vital work on behalf of our nation.”

Masemola has deployed maximum resources to trace Moyo, including crime intelligence operatives, detectives, as well as the Gauteng DPC tracking teams and the Hawks.

He urged all South Africans not to shelter the dangerous criminal, who is armed with a SAPS firearm stolen from an officer and allegedly used to kill the two detectives.

“Moyo must be stopped in his tracks, and he can only be prevented from committing further crimes if the community cooperates with the police by providing us with information on his whereabouts.

“Moyo is a dangerous criminal, and our operatives are on the ground looking for him to prevent him from committing any more heinous crimes. We will not rest until we find him, and we are also warning him to hand himself over to his nearest police station,” said Masemola.

Those who may have information on this case, including the whereabouts of Moyo, are encouraged to call Warrant Officer Rabosiwana from the Hawks on 0728444442.

The murder of two detectives precedes SAPS’s annual Commemoration Day, held on the first Sunday of September, honouring 27 officers who died in the last financial year.

SAPS has lost five officers in the line of duty since April 1 to date.

karen.singh@inl.co.za

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