Two EMPD Officers Killed in Tembisa Ambush, Manhunt Underway.

Two EMPD Officers Killed in Tembisa Ambush, Manhunt Underway.

Tembisa, Gauteng – In a tragic blow to law enforcement, two Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) officers from the intervention unit were gunned down in Tembisa’s Umthambeka Section on Thursday night, June 12, 2025, while on duty. The officers were attacked by criminals who stole their service pistols and fled on foot to a nearby getaway vehicle, leaving the officers dead at the scene.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched an intensive manhunt for the suspects, with authorities urging the public to come forward with any information that could lead to their arrest. Ekurhuleni MMC for Community Safety, Alderman Sizakele Masuku, condemned the “heinous act,” vowing that the perpetrators would face justice. “Our officers risk their lives daily to protect our communities, and this senseless violence will not go unpunished,” Masuku said in a statement.

The attack has sent shockwaves through Tembisa, a township grappling with crime and socio-economic challenges. Posts on X reflect public outrage and grief, with some users alleging the officers had arrested a suspect earlier that night, who was reportedly released after bribing SAPS officials. However, these claims remain unverified, and SAPS has not commented on the allegations.

This incident follows a troubling pattern of violence against EMPD officers. On February 7, 2025, an off-duty EMPD officer was fatally shot outside a KwaThema spaza shop, with his firearm also stolen. Just a week prior, on January 29, 2025, an EMPD traffic warden was killed in Tembisa. These attacks highlight the dangers faced by metro police in Ekurhuleni, compounded by recent challenges within the department, including the suspension of 389 officers in May 2025 for participating in an illegal strike over overtime pay and workplace grievances.Tembisa residents have expressed mixed sentiments, with some mourning the officers’ loss while others point to underlying tensions over service delivery and policing practices.

The township has a history of unrest, notably the 2022 protests that left four dead amid clashes over electricity costs and unemployment.As the investigation unfolds, the City of Ekurhuleni has pledged support for the officers’ families and reiterated its commitment to community safety. Authorities are appealing for calm and cooperation as they work to apprehend the suspects.Anyone with information is urged to contact the SAPS or Crime Stop at 08600 10111.

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