Police Offer R300 000 Reward After Officers Killed in Brutal Attacks

The South African Police Service (SAPS) is offering a reward of R300 000 for any information that leads to the capture of suspects involved in the murders of three police officers in the last 24 hours.

These incidents highlight the ongoing and deadly threat faced by law enforcement officers in the country.On Friday, 8 August 2025, two police officers from the Florida Police Station, Warrant Officer Vuyisile Sintwa (51) and Sergeant Simon Masenye (45), were tragically killed in a violent ambush.

They were disarmed and shot dead while transporting Jabulani Moyo, a prisoner awaiting trial for a February 2023 business robbery, from the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court to prison. Moyo, who was being escorted in a police vehicle, managed to escape, stealing the vehicle and abandoning it several kilometres from the crime scene.

National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, visited the families of the murdered officers and condemned the attack as a direct assault on the rule of law and the authority of the state.

Masemola highlighted the increasing dangers police officers face while carrying out their duties, especially in the current climate of violent criminal attacks.

The killings of Sintwa and Masenye are part of a disturbing trend of police fatalities in the country. Since the start of the 2025 financial year, six police officers have been killed in criminal attacks and ambushes.

In the previous financial year, a total of 27 officers were killed in the line of duty. These figures reflect a concerning rise in violence against law enforcement and raise alarm about the safety of police officers who put their lives at risk every day to protect South African citizens.

Masemola described the fallen officers as more than just numbers, emphasising that each was a parent and a breadwinner whose death left families devastated. He also reiterated the critical role police officers play in maintaining public safety, warning that the country cannot afford to remain silent while criminals attack the state’s authority.

“We cannot allow criminals to declare war on the state. I urge all police officers to stay vigilant, make use of their tools and resources effectively, and ensure that they remain one step ahead of these criminals,” Masemola said.

“We must act appropriately when circumstances allow, and remember to use proportional force in response to threats.”

The investigation into the murders of Sintwa and Masenye is being led by The Hawks, and police are calling on the public for assistance. Evidence gathered at the scene, including CCTV footage and witness accounts from a nearby filling station, is being used to piece together the details of the attack.

A multidisciplinary team has also been formed to track down Moyo, who remains on the run. Police have raised questions about whether Moyo was properly restrained during transport, as protocol dictates that all awaiting trial prisoners be handcuffed.

In addition to the R150 000 reward for information about Moyo’s whereabouts, SAPS is offering another R150 000 for any leads that could lead to the arrest of the criminals responsible for the murder of Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni, who was shot and killed during a response to a business burglary in Schoemansdal.

The rise in police killings has prompted calls for better protection and more resources for law enforcement officers.

These tragic events are a stark reminder of the dangers police face daily, and the need for continued vigilance in the fight against crime.

The SAPS has vowed to do everything in its power to track down those responsible for these heinous crimes, ensuring that justice is served for the fallen officers and their grieving families.