Manhunt underway after police officer is killed near Coffee Bay

A massive manhunt is underway in the Eastern Cape for four suspects who shot and killed a policeman near Coffee Bay last night, and then ordered his colleague at gunpoint to carry his body to the back of a police van.

"After learning of the killing of the police officer last night, the national commissioner has instructed the provincial Commissioner to immediately mobilise and send him the activation plan, which entails the mobilisation of critical resources like crime intelligence, forensic experts, (and) the Hawks to ensure that no evidence, intelligence or information that can help successfully bring the suspect to book is lost," says National police spokesperson, Vishnu Naidoo. 

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Naidoo says two constables had responded to a complaint at Zindidi Location shortly before midnight when they were accosted by the men.

He says one suspect shot and killed the driver without warning.

The other officer was then forced to carry the body of his deceased colleague and was locked in the back of the van. 

The gunmen then commandeered the police vehicle to a nearby shop where they robbed the owner of cash, alcohol and a police-issue firearm, before fleeing in the shop owner's Nissan Navarra, which was later found abandoned near Mqanduli.