Ekurhuleni Metro Police spokesman Supt Mveli Nhlapo was killed after being electrocuted at the Kempton Park station on Thursday morning.
According to Supt Vusi Mabanga, another spokesman of the EMPD, Nhlapo chased after a number of striking Post Office workers who had held commuters hostage on a train from Thembisa, going to Germiston at around 10am.
"When they saw police and metro police at the station, they tried to escape. Our officer ran after them and unfortunately was electrocuted.
Nhlapo was the spokesman for the EMPD's northern areas, which includes Kempton Park.
Mabanga could not say how many strikers were on the train, nor how many people were being held hostage.
No one else was injured.
Three people were arrested. Mabanga could not say whether they were part of the group of striking workers.
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