Suspected diesel thieves gun down Mpumalanga cop
A Mpumalanga police officer has died during a shootout with three suspected diesel thieves in Middelburg.
The shoot-out, which took place at a mine near the N4 highway on Monday, left another police officer wounded.
Hawks spokesperson Dineo Sekgotodi says police received a tip-off that the suspects were allegedly stealing diesel at a mine near the N4 and pumping it into a diesel browser.
“It is alleged that in the early hours of Monday, police received a tip off from an informer regarding theft of diesel at a mine near the N4. Two police officers drove together in a state vehicle, using the Stoffburg road as directed by the source.
“Along the road, they came across a yellow diesel bowser matching the description and made a U-turn, and stopped it. It is further alleged that three male persons alighted from the truck and started shooting at the officers.”
Sekgotodi says the wounded police officer was rushed to hospital.
“In the process, one member was shot and later succumbed to his injuries while the other sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital in Middleburg for treatment. Three pistols with 25 rounds ammunition and five cell phones were recovered at the crime scene”.
No arrests have been made.
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