Pretoria: National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, has expressed gratitude towards the Commissioner of the Royal Eswatini Police, Vusi Manoma Masango, for their cooperation in tracking down three individuals responsible for the murder of a police officer, traced to the Kingdom of Eswatini. The operation was spearheaded by the Acting Provincial Commissioner of Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Zeph Mkhwanazi, and successfully located the suspects involved in the death of Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni.
According to South African Government News Agency, Sergeant Mtshweni was killed during an armed robbery at a store in Schoemansdal, Mpumalanga, on August 8, 2025. The first suspect was apprehended in South Africa by the Mpumalanga police. Subsequent investigations led the South African Police Service (SAPS) to Eswatini, where they collaborated with the Royal Eswatini Police and the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force.
The Royal Eswatini Police reported that two suspects were located in the Sishweleni region. Upon being approached by the police, the suspects opened fire, prompting the Eswatini Royal Police to return fire, resulting in the fatal wounding of both suspects. Further investigation led the authorities to Mantambe in Shiselweni, where the third suspect allegedly took his own life before being arrested.
General Masemola expressed appreciation on behalf of the police force and the family of Sergeant Mtshweni for the assistance provided by the Royal Eswatini Police and the Umbutfo Defence Force. He emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation on law enforcement matters and called upon communities to help stop the attacks on police officers, noting that six officers had already lost their lives since April 2025.
This operation occurs as SAPS continues to search for Jabulani Moyo, who remains at large after killing two police detectives transporting him to the Boksburg Correctional Services centre. A reward of R150,000 has been offered for information leading to Moyo’s whereabouts.
In a sign of respect and remembrance, SAPS leadership, led by Masemola, will attend the funerals of three officers who recently died in the line of duty. Warrant Officer Vuyisile Sintwa will be laid to rest in Mandilore, Krugersdorp, while Sergeant Simon Masenye and Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni will be buried in Munsieville and Schoemansdal, respectively.
SAPS has also announced that the Commemoration Day, honoring 27 officers who died while on duty, will take place on September 7, 2025.