Joburg mourns metro officer, security guard killed in two shootings

The City of Johannesburg said it was saddened by the death of a Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officer and a security guard in separate incidents at the  weekend.

The officer, identified as Dikosha Josias Manyama, had worked for the department for about 30 years and was killed during a robbery in Naturena, south of Johannesburg.  

"Officer Manyama was in a place of entertainment near his house with friends when four suspects entered the premises and sporadically shot at the patrons, injuring four and killing two," said Luyanda Longwe, spokesperson for Gauteng's MMC of public safety Michael Sun.

The owners said at least R7,000 was taken.

The security guard, Eric Makgathokga, was killed on duty in Fleurhof, Roodeport.   

"He was shot dead by an unknown number of suspects who forcefully entered the Fleurhof Empowerment Zone building. They took five solar panel geysers among other valuables," said Longwe. 

Makgathokga started working for the city in 2018 after an in-sourcing campaign by the department of public safety. 

Sun said, "We are aggrieved by the death of officer Manyama and security guard Makgathokga. We are committed to helping the investigation officers to ensure that the culprits are arrested and face the full might of the law," he said. 

Sun and mayor Herman Mashaba are expected to visit both the families.

Longwe said a memorial service to honour the fallen heroes would be held later in the week.