DA commends the swift arrest of suspects implicated in the killing of an Ermelo SAPS official

Issued by Teboho Sekaledi: MPL – DA Spokesperson on Community Safety, Security and Liaison: Mpumalanga Province
17 Jan 2025 in Press Releases

The DA in Mpumalanga welcomes the quick arrest of suspects that are allegedly implicated in the killing of an Ermelo based SAPS official, Lieutenant Colonel Pretorius.

In this instance, the DA commends the province’s multi-disciplinary task team for their swift response and clamping down on the suspects within 24 hours. 

According to news reports, Pretorius was shot seven times on Thursday. He succumbed to his injuries at Mediclinic Ermelo. It is reported that Pretorius was on his way to see an informant. 

We understand that after this incident, the suspects then fled the scene in a white BMW. A similar vehicle, believed to have been used as a getaway car for the suspects was later found torched in Ermelo. 

It is with great concern that a member of the SAPS was killed in such a senseless manner. Law enforcers are our protectors, they are our shield in times of distress and a bridge between order and chaos in society.  

The DA views this situation in a serious light. Fear and anxiety can quickly spread to other SAPS investigators in the province. Subsequently, this may potentially compromise the work of our SAPS members. 

We urge the Department of Community Safety to take this as an eye opener and take measures to protect our Investigation Officers when executing their tasks. 

We are hopeful that justice will prevail and the suspects will face the full might of the law. 

The DA expresses its heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and to the Mpumalanga SAPS family. One life lost is one too many.