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Mbombela - Police and the community must not seek to avenge the death of a slain officer, Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe said on Thursday.
Shongwe was speaking at the home of murdered Constable Joseph Baloyi, 33, in Tekatakho village near Kabokweni outside White River, Mpumalanga, a News24 correspondent reported.
The MEC, his entourage and other officers found all Baloyi's relatives either crying or somberly sitting in quiet reflection, which nearly brought Shongwe to tears.
An emotional Shongwe pleaded with police and the community not to take the law into their own hands.
"I know how it feels inside of you. I'm sorry, please don't despair; go out there and bring these suspects to book. Don't go pay revenge, but do all by the book," he said.
"As we say in this province, that when you kill an officer you have killed the community. I'm also appealing to the community of Tekatakho and Kabokweni to work with the police in bringing justice."
Shongwe extended his condolences and that of the provincial government to the Baloyi family.
"The killing of the officer is a clear indication that he was murdered for his good work. The number of cartridges found on the crime scene show that they were there to kill him. He was shot with more than ten bullets," said Shongwe.
Baloyi, investigating a rhino poaching case, was gunned down by three men at his home on Wednesday evening while returning from work.
Hawks spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi said the unit was looking for Mthobisi Lennox Ngwenyama, 33, in connection with the murder.
Ngwenyama escaped from police custody at the Nelspruit Regional Court on May 13.
"The suspect is also facing charges of carjacking, which he committed in 2012 and also two house robberies in the same year," Mulaudzi said.
"The Hawks have learnt that Ngwenyama’s hit list include two other Hawks members. [We] are determined to bring the suspect to book before any further bloodshed."
When asked about allegations that police officers were involved in Ngwenyama's escape, Mulaudzi said an internal investigation has been launched to probe the allegations.
