(On the left) Warrant Officer Neels Du Rand who was murdered recently. Image: SAPS.
Two arrested for murder of police officer Warrant Officer Neels Du Rand
Two men have been arrested after they shot and killed the 48-year-old Warrant Officer Neels Du Rand. Here is the latest.
(On the left) Warrant Officer Neels Du Rand who was murdered recently. Image: SAPS.
Police have arrested two men after they shot and killed 48-year-old Warrant Officer Neels Du Rand.
THE TWO HAVE BEEN LINKED TO THE MURDER OF WARRANT OFFICER DU RAND
According to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the two are believed to be part of a gang that hijacked a truck along the N3 near Villiers on Friday, 09 June 2023, at about 03:00.
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“The 48-year-old Warrant Officer Johannes Du Rand traced the hijacked truck but was sadly shot and killed by the armed suspects.”
Mathe said.
Mathe said Du Rand had 29 years of service at his death.
DU RAND HAD 29 YEARS OF SERVICE AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH
“The two suspects were arrested within 24 hours since the commission of the crime.”
On Saturday, the National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola led a delegation of senior officers to the home of the late member to commit the organisation’s support to the grieving family of Du Rand.
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Masemola has commended Free State police for the swift arrest of two suspects linked to the killing of a detective commander attached to the Villiers Police Station.
DU RAND WAS ONE OF THE SEVEN POLICE OFFICERS WHO DIED THIS WEEK
Du Rand was one of seven police officers who died in the past week.
Meanwhile, police have also launched a manhunt for two suspects after 41-year-old Sergeant Leka Maja, who was shot and killed during the tracing of illegal firearms in Mamelodi on Thursday, 08 June 2023.
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“Three suspects were fatally wounded, and four pistols, as well as three rifles, were seized,” Mathe said.
‘POLICE HAVE DECLARED WAR AGAINST CRIMINALS WHO ATTACK AND KILL POLICE OFFICERS’
Maja was attached to the Tactical Operations Management Section within the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation(DPCI) and had 14 years of service.
At the home of the member in Mamelodi East, General Masemola was joined by the National Head of the DPCI, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya.
General Masemola says the SAPS has declared war against criminals who attack and kill police officers.
“This is a war that has been called by criminals. We cannot come second. We cannot co-rule with criminals, communities have put their trust in us and we need to fight back to ensure the safety and security of our communities and police officers. We are going to respond accordingly until we win this fight against criminals. The families of these officers are looking up to us to ensure that those that are behind these killings and attacks face the full might of the law,”
said General Masemola.
THE POLICE HAVE SET ASIDE R25 MILLION TO ENHANCE THE SAFETY OF ALL POLICE SERVICE POINTS
The police has set aside R25 million to enhance the safety and security of all police service points for this financial year.
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Mathe said the organisation also continues to implement its Police Safety Strategy to ensure the safety and security of police officers on and off duty.
