Two JMPD officials killed, another wounded in three attacks in one week

Two Johannesburg metropolitan police department (JMPD) officials have been killed, and another is in hospital after three violent attacks on department personnel in the space of a few days.

The latest incident occurred on Thursday when JMPD traffic warden Reagan Joseph was shot dead while sitting in his private vehicle in Turffontein.

Two children were in the vehicle at the time of the shooting, with one sustaining a gunshot wound to the head.

The JMPD expressed “profound sadness, severe outrage and grave concern” over what it described as a disturbing trend of violence targeting its officers, traffic wardens and security personnel across Johannesburg.

“JMPD traffic warden Reagan Joseph was shot and fatally wounded while inside his private vehicle, a white Volkswagen Citi Golf, in Turffontein. Devastatingly, two children were present in the vehicle during the attack. One child sustained a gunshot wound to the head, while the status of the second child remains under close assessment. Warden Joseph was tragically declared deceased at the scene,” the department said.

Emergency services and other relevant authorities responded to the scene, and an investigation into the shooting is under way.

According to the JMPD, Joseph’s killing marked the third violent attack on its personnel within a short space.

All three officials were off duty when the incidents occurred.

“On Saturday, September 26, a 34-year-old JMPD security officer, Kwanele Buthelezi, was abducted during a carjacking in Lenasia South and subsequently found murdered in Finetown, Grasmere,” the JMPD said.

On September 27, another JMPD officer was hijacked and shot in Finetown, Grasmere. The officer survived and is in hospital receiving medical treatment.

“The JMPD strongly condemns these senseless acts of violence against dedicated personnel who serve and protect the residents of Johannesburg. Attacks on law enforcement officers, traffic wardens and security staff represent a direct assault on the rule of law and community safety,” the department said.

“The department extends its deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of traffic warden Reagan Joseph and security officer Kwanele Buthelezi. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the hospitalised officer and the injured child for a full and speedy recovery,” it said.

“We urgently appeal to anyone with information regarding these crimes to come forward. The JMPD, working closely with the SAPS, will spare no effort in ensuring that all perpetrators are apprehended and face the full might of the law,” the department said.

Investigations into the attacks are continuing.

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