Police spokesperson Lt-Col Mavela Masondo reported the shooting happened around 10:30 a.m. The officers, part of a special task team, had brought the suspect to appear at the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court for a case involving a business robbery from 2023.

“Our team went to collect a suspect who was scheduled to appear in Roodepoort magistrate’s court regarding a business robbery that happened in 2023,” Masondo stated.

After the court hearing, as the detectives were returning the suspect to police custody, they were ambushed and fatally shot. Their weapons were taken by the attackers. The suspect was later seen driving the unmarked police vehicle, which was discovered abandoned a few kilometers from the shooting site.

“We have started a manhunt for those responsible,” Masondo added.