On Wednesday, October 9, in the Eastern Cape a 35-year-old man was killed during a shootout with law enforcement near the Mqwangqweni location.
Background of the Case
According to Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, the provincial spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, the deceased suspect was alleged to have murdered Warrant Officer Khangelani Wilmot Nomatiti, a 59-year-old officer, shortly before his own death.
On September 30, Warrant Officer Nomatiti was targeted while on his way to a local shop. During an attempted robbery, he was shot in the back of the head after bravery during the struggle to protect himself.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigations
The Hawks, together with the Mthatha National Intervention Unit (NIU), acted swiftly upon receiving information about the suspect’s whereabouts. Upon encountering the suspect, he opened fire at the officers, who retaliated.
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Mgolodela reported that the service pistol taken from Warrant Officer Nomatiti was found with the deceased suspect, confirming direct links between the events. Investigations are ongoing, and law enforcement is determined to apprehend any individuals involved in this heinous crime.
Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, head of the Hawks in the Eastern Cape, commended the collaborative efforts of the teams on the ground, reinforcing the commitment to bringing remaining perpetrators to justice.