A policewoman who survived last year’s shooting when unknown gunmen attacked officers at the Ngcobo police station believes her five slain colleagues were massacred by the same thugs that attacked them last year.
Constable Zuko Mathetha, 27, of Ncorha in Cofimvaba, Warrant Officer Zuko Mbini, 45, of Zimbane Valley in Mthatha, Constable Zuko Ntsheku, 38, of Luhewini in Ngcobo, Constable Nkosiphendule Pongco, 32, Malungeni village 3 in Ngqeleni, and Constable Sibongiseni Sandlana, 32, of Qunu near Mthatha, were killed on Wednesday after unknown gunmen opened fire at the police station and stole 10 guns.
This was the second attack at the station, as thugs last year attacked the station in what seemed like a well-organised military-style attack.
They wounded one officer and stole guns. After the March 28 attack last year, the brazen criminals drilled into an ATM and stole an undisclosed amount of money.
No one was arrested. A large number of suspects fled in a Toyota Quantum minibus taxi, a BMW sedan and a Toyota Fortuner.
The constable who was on duty during last year’s attack said just like last year’s attackers, Wednesday’s were skilled in battle.
“They are not common thugs. Those people may have military training or something.
“This is the same modus operandi as last year. They didn’t just attack the police station and robbed our guns, but also attacked a police van like the last time.
“They also monitored the police barracks. They used the same strategy like the last time – no doubt they are the same gang, but with reinforcement,” she said.
The constable told the Saturday Dispatch of how they were ambushed at the station just after locking up two suspects for drinking in public last year.
“It was just before 12 midnight when we returned from the CBD to arrest a pair for public disorderly when we heard gunshots from automatic rifles ringing out from the street.”
She said that while they were busy unlocking the gun safes, a female colleague who had left the station with her patrol partner came racing inside the station amid the rattling of automatic rifles.
“She shouted ‘my partner has been shot, my partner has been gunned down’.”
The source said a team of more than 10 men continued shooting at them.
“We then heard a blast from the CBD and when we went to check the following morning and discovered that an ATM had been bombed.”
Eastern Cape provincial police could not confirm the progress of the investigation into the armed robbery investigation.
In February four men were arrested for a cash-in-transit heist.
Among those arrested for it was a former soldier. -— malibongwed@dispatch.co.za
Officer believes same gang linked to last year’s attack
Constable Zuko Mathetha, 27, of Ncorha in Cofimvaba, Warrant Officer Zuko Mbini, 45, of Zimbane Valley in Mthatha, Constable Zuko Ntsheku, 38, of Luhewini in Ngcobo, Constable Nkosiphendule Pongco, 32, Malungeni village 3 in Ngqeleni, and Constable Sibongiseni Sandlana, 32, of Qunu near Mthatha, were killed on Wednesday after unknown gunmen opened fire at the police station and stole 10 guns.
This was the second attack at the station, as thugs last year attacked the station in what seemed like a well-organised military-style attack.
They wounded one officer and stole guns. After the March 28 attack last year, the brazen criminals drilled into an ATM and stole an undisclosed amount of money.
No one was arrested. A large number of suspects fled in a Toyota Quantum minibus taxi, a BMW sedan and a Toyota Fortuner.
The constable who was on duty during last year’s attack said just like last year’s attackers, Wednesday’s were skilled in battle.
“They are not common thugs. Those people may have military training or something.
“This is the same modus operandi as last year. They didn’t just attack the police station and robbed our guns, but also attacked a police van like the last time.
“They also monitored the police barracks. They used the same strategy like the last time – no doubt they are the same gang, but with reinforcement,” she said.
The constable told the Saturday Dispatch of how they were ambushed at the station just after locking up two suspects for drinking in public last year.
“It was just before 12 midnight when we returned from the CBD to arrest a pair for public disorderly when we heard gunshots from automatic rifles ringing out from the street.”
She said that while they were busy unlocking the gun safes, a female colleague who had left the station with her patrol partner came racing inside the station amid the rattling of automatic rifles.
“She shouted ‘my partner has been shot, my partner has been gunned down’.”
The source said a team of more than 10 men continued shooting at them.
“We then heard a blast from the CBD and when we went to check the following morning and discovered that an ATM had been bombed.”
Eastern Cape provincial police could not confirm the progress of the investigation into the armed robbery investigation.
In February four men were arrested for a cash-in-transit heist.
Among those arrested for it was a former soldier. -— malibongwed@dispatch.co.za
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