A suspect has been arrested in connection with the shocking murder of Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius, a senior officer with the Vehicle Identification Unit in Ermelo, Mpumalanga.
Police make breakthrough in murder of Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius
Pretorius, 59, was gunned down in broad daylight on Thursday, 16 January 2025, leaving the police force and the local community reeling from the loss of a respected investigator.
According to police, Pretorius was ambushed and shot multiple times while driving his official vehicle.
The incident occurred around 14:00 near Ermelo, and his vehicle, riddled with bullet holes, was found at the scene.
Eyewitness reports indicated that the assailant fled in a white sedan immediately after the attack.
A task team of seasoned investigators was immediately assembled following the murder, with the SAPS activating a 72-hour plan to apprehend those responsible.
In less than 24 hours after the attack, authorities confirmed a breakthrough in the case with the arrest of a suspect.
While further details about the arrested individual have not been disclosed, police have expressed confidence in their ability to bring all parties involved to justice.
Mpumalanga SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane highlighted the gravity of the crime, calling the killing of a police officer a direct attack on the state.
“The perpetrators of this heinous crime will be hunted down and swiftly brought to justice,” said Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, who also extended condolences to Pretorius’s family and colleagues.
Lieutenant Colonel Pretorius was known for his expertise in tackling vehicle theft and related crimes, a role that often placed him in dangerous situations.
Colleagues have described him as a dedicated officer whose work contributed significantly to reducing crime in the region.
The attack has sparked outrage, with police unions and community leaders calling for harsher penalties for those who target law enforcement officers.
“We have lost an asset that was instrumental in safeguarding our community,” said Mkhwanazi.
