
READ: SAPS officer gunned down and robbed of firearm
- Apr 8
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 22
On 8 April 2025, a devastating incident shook Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal, as an off-duty South African Police Service (SAPS) officer was shot dead on Mafukazela Drive. The officer, whose identity remains undisclosed, was ambushed outside a spaza shop, robbed of his service firearm, and left for dead. The suspects fled in a white Volkswagen Polo, leaving a community reeling and authorities scrambling for answers.
The officer had parked his vehicle near a tuck shop in the early evening when armed assailants approached. Without warning, they opened fire, striking him multiple times. As he collapsed, the attackers stole his firearm and a man bag before speeding off. Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) responders arrived at 18:27, finding spent 9mm cartridges scattered at the scene. Despite rushing the officer to a
hospital, he was pronounced dead on arrival.

By 9 April 2025, SAPS confirmed the arrest of one suspect linked to the crime, though details about the individual remain sparse. A manhunt continues for the remaining perpetrators. Authorities have appealed to the public for information, emphasizing the need for community support to bring justice.
The killing has sparked grief and fear in Inanda, a township north of Durban plagued by violent crime. Residents and fellow officers have expressed sorrow, with some taking to social media to mourn the loss and demand action. The incident, reported on X by journalist Dasen Thathiah, underscored the vulnerability of police officers, even off duty, in high-risk areas like Inanda.
This tragedy follows a pattern of violence in the region, with another off-duty officer killed in Inanda just months earlier in February 2025. The targeting of law enforcement, coupled with the theft of service weapons, raises alarm about the proliferation of illegal firearms and the audacity of criminals operating in KZN.
As investigations unfold, the SAPS faces pressure to address both this case and the broader crime wave gripping Inanda. The arrest offers a glimmer of hope, but the community awaits concrete measures to ensure safety for all.
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