Police officer killed at funeral in Limpopo

An SA Police Service (SAPS) warrant officer was shot dead at a funeral service in Jane Furse, Limpopo, on Saturday, police said.

Colonel Ronel Otto said the officer was with colleagues assisting a North West police team trace a suspect who had allegedly committed crimes in Brits, North West.

The wanted man was traced to Madibong village where he attended the funeral of a villager who was killed the previous week, said Otto.

“While apprehending him, the suspect screamed for help. The community rushed to him and mistook the police members for criminals. They suspected the officers might have been involved in the killing of the person being buried,” she said.

“The officers, who were wearing plain clothes, retreated, but the warrant officer was chased and cornered and his service pistol taken.

“The service pistol was forcefully removed and he was shot in the head and died on the scene. The identity of the deceased will be made known once his next of kin is informed.”

One person was taken in for questioning. The search for other suspects and the officer’s pistol was continuing, Otto said.