The Tshilwavhusiku police are searching for three suspects after they had shot and killed a DRS security officer and then sped off with the security company van on Sunday, 27 August. The incident occurred at Madombidzha, Zone 4, at around 19:30.
According to the Limpopo police spokesperson, Lt Col Malesela Ledwaba, the security officer, identified as Vincent Sivhada (34), was on duty at the time of the incident. The security van was parked next to a spaza shop when Sivhada was approached by three unknown men and shot before the suspects drove off with the security company's vehicle. "The police were notified about the incident and on arrival with emergency services, the victim was found lying in a pool of blood. The police seized the empty cartridges and live ammunition. The victim was pronounced dead by the EMS," said Ledwaba.
The police opened a case of murder and carjacking. The suspects are still unknown at this stage, but the police will be investigating the circumstances that led to the shooting incident.
On Monday, 28 August, the security van was found abandoned between Tshiozwi and Madombidzha village.
Ledwaba sent a stern warning out to the suspects, who are still at large, that the police are on their heels and that they will catch and arrest them soon.
The deceased's brother, Mr Melton Sivhada, told Limpopo Mirror that he had received a phone call from someone who had told him to rush to the scene at Madombidzha, because something bad had happened. "I'm asking myself a lot of questions. What did my younger brother do to these cruel men that made them kill him? I wish for them to get arrested, so that they can answer those questions. He died like a criminal or gangster, and he was a decent and respectful man. We want justice for my brother and see these criminals behind bars," he wept.
The supervisor of the DRS security guards in Louis Trichardt, Mr Alfred Mahafha, conveyed their sincere condolences on behalf of the company to the family and friends of their fallen colleague. He said he had trust in the police to apprehend the suspects swiftly.
The provincial Commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lt-Gen Thembi Hadebe, condemned the killing and called upon the community to assist the police with information that can lead to the apprehension of the suspects.
Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects should contact the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Mawela Patrick Tshikhudo, on 072 745 4908 or 015 519 6000. Alternatively, call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111, the nearest Police Station, or visit the MysapsApp.