Saps Elukwatini station commander killed early this morning during a shootout at a business burglary.
Nelspruit – Colonel Beauty Marivate responded to calls of a business burglary in progress, several other officers also responded to provide backup. Upon arrival, the suspects opened fire and Colonel Beauty Marivate was shot in the shootout.
When the other members arrived, they immediately called emergency services and she was rushed to hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela has condemned in the strongest possible terms the killing of Colonel Beauty Marivate who was the Station Commander of Elukwatini SAPS, in an incident which occurred in the early hours of this morning. She has also in the same breath applauded the swift arrest of five suspects in connection with the incident.
According to the information, the senior officer received a call about a business burglary in progress and immediately rushed to the scene as other officers made their way to provide backup. Upon arrival, she was noticed by the suspects and a shootout ensued and she was shot and injured in the process.
Meanwhile, the members worked tirelessly and managed to arrest one of the suspects at the scene, who was in possession of an unlicensed firearm. They further dug deep and gathered information where they traced the other suspects and found them hiding out in a house at Enhlazatshe no. 7 and they too were swiftly arrested.
The suspects are expected to appear at the Elukwatini Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, 31 December 2021, on various charges.
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The Provincial Commissioner further extends her heartfelt condolences to the family of the late senior officer. She also further applauded her for her many years of excellent service and contribution to the fight against crime. She also heaped praise upon the police officers who worked around the clock to ensure the swift arrest of the suspects.
Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Vusi Shongwe, also applauded the SAPS in Mpumalanga for the swift arrests of five suspects linked to the murder of Elukwatini Police Station Commander, Colonel Beauty Marivate.
MEC Vusi Shongwe has also condemned the incident in the strongest possible terms. He said, “Men and women in blue remain at the forefront of the fight against crime and attacking them, constitutes an attack on communities. That is why such level of savagery is similar to attacking the state and should be harshly dealt with as such.”
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“Anybody attacking law enforcers or the police is declaring war on the state. The police remain critical in our efforts to ensure communities are and feel safe. That is why the police must work around the clock to bring such culprits to book,” added the MEC.
Shongwe has also called on the communities to give the police any information that may assist in this and other criminal cases.
He stated that the police must not be discouraged by such callousness, but should continue to work hard to protect communities and themselves.
He sends heartfelt condolences to the Police Minister, Bheki Cele, National Commissioner, General Khehla Sitole, Provincial Commissioner, Lt. General Semakaleng Manamela, the Marivate family, the entire SAPS management and all affected officials at the station.
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Five suspects have been arrested so far. The police are looking for other culprits.
