SIPHOFANENI: Detective Constable Bongani Maphalala was on Thursday afternoon allegedly killed in a dramatic shootout heist at Siphofaneni Buy Cash Hardware.
Maphalala who was known as a nonosense cop and would lead other officers to destroy dagga fields allegedly died on the spot after being shot by alleged robbers who allegedly disappeared with cash at the Hardware owned by Agriculture Minister Jabulani Mabuza, eye witnesses say.
Efforts to reach Agriculture Minister Jabulani Mabuza, the owner of Buy Cash Hardware proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report, his number was not available on the network.
Resigned cop Sergeant Cebile Cece Shongwe confirmed receiving the information about the death of Constable Bongani Maphalala, she said the officer was very close to her.
“It’s true, I have just received the sad news, he was a disciplined officer dedicated to his job. I worked with him and we had a healthy working relationship”, she said.
Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, the police Spokesperson had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
Reached for comments, Mzimela Simelane, the Siphofaneni Indvuna YeNkhundla confirmed the matter adding that the police officer was allegedly shot more than seven times and died on the spot.
“The officer was shot and died on the spot and the robbers drove away with the cash”, said the Siphofaneni Indvuna YeNkhundla.
Paramedics responded to crime scene.