The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has ordered that maximum police resources be deployed to find and arrest the suspects responsible for the brutal killing of two police officers in the Eastern Cape.

The officers, aged 51 and 30, were shot dead in the early hours of Friday, 18 September 2026, at Ziphunzana Location in Libode, near Mthatha. They were attached to the Mthatha National Invervention Unit and the Mthatha Public Order Policing Unit respectively.

Responding to a robbery call

The members had placed themselves on duty after responding to a call for assistance relating to an alleged business robbery at a spaza shop in the area. They were subsequently found with gunshot wounds. Their service pistols were also taken by the perpetrators.

No resources spared in the hunt

Lieutenant General Dimpane has directed that no resources be spared in the pursuit of those responsible. A multidisciplinary team has already been mobilised.

“The killing of two police officers who were responding to a call for assistance is an attack on the men and women who place themselves in harm's way to protect our communities and an attack on the authority of the State. I have directed that maximum resources be deployed to this investigation. The Eastern Cape will leave no stone unturned and will leave nothing to chance in ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.

“We will find the killers, and we will find the firearms that were taken from our members. Those firearms must be recovered and returned to the SAPS,” said Lieutenant General Dimpane.

Condolences and commitment to justice

The Acting National Commissioner conveyed her deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the two fallen officers.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones in such tragic and violent circumstances. These members answered a call for assistance and paid the ultimate price while performing their duty. We will stand with their families and colleagues during this difficult period. As the SAPS, we will not rest until those responsible for this heinous crime are found, arrested, and face the full might of the law.”

The investigation continues, with preliminary intelligence being followed up by the multidisciplinary team.