Cop killer suspects shot dead

Soweto – Two men who were wanted for the murder of a police officer have been killed in a shootout with police.

  Police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said Constable Mokgophe Rankoe and a colleague from Dobsonville responded to a call about a house robbery in Braamfischerville around midnight on Sunday when they came under fire.

  Rankoe was killed during the incident and his colleague overpowered. Both their firearms and cellphones were taken.

  Naidoo said a few hours later police arrested one suspect. “An intelligence operation led police to a house in Emdeni, where other suspects were believed to be hiding. A shootout ensued between the suspects and the SAPS team, which resulted in two police members being wounded, one on his finger and the other to his cheek. Two suspects were killed during the shootout.”

  He said two firearms were recovered, one of which was stolen after Rankoe’s murder.

  Cases of attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition and an inquest were opened.