Middelburg - A traffic officer was shot dead in the driveway of his parents' home in Vlaklaagte, near Kwaggafontein, the Mpumalanga community safety department said on Sunday.
Spokesperson Joseph Mabuza said control provincial inspector Johannes Mahlangu, 51, who was based in Middelburg, was visiting his parents' home on Saturday afternoon.
As he was reversing his car out of the driveway, a car sped up to him and several men got out and opened fire before speeding away.
"The motive of the shooting is not yet known," Mabuza said.
He said MEC for Safety, Security and Liaison Vusi Shongwe offered his condolences to Mahlangu's family and his colleagues.
The MEC also called on the police to do a full investigation and swiftly arrest the men, who must face the "maximum sentence".
Witnesses were also called on to provide police with more information.