Five arrested in connection with Mpumalanga police officer’s killing

Five suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of a Mpumalanga police officer.

Lieutenant-Colonel Piet Pretorius was gunned down in the line of duty in Ermelo yesterday afternoon.

He was in a state vehicle when the incident happened.

Provincial police spokesperson Jabu Ndubane says the vehicle that was used in the commission of the crime was found torched near Ermelo.

She says the suspects were arrested in Mbombela.

“The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mumalanga, Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi has welcomed the arrest of five suspects aged between 29 and 40, believed to be linked to the killing of an on-duty police officer, Colonel Piet Pretorius, on Thursday, 16th January 2025, in Emeiro, in less than 24 hours. The Acting Provincial Commissioner will visit the bereaved family of the late Colonel Pretorius today.”

#sapsMP Five suspects aged between 29 and 40 believed to be linked to the killing of an on-duty Police Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius on 16 January 2025 in Ermelo have been arrested. A vehicle believed to have been used in the commission of the crime has also been… pic.twitter.com/krVp97NobX

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) January 17, 2025