The suspects, aged between 20 and 35 years, were arrested on 17 May 2025 in Dobsonville, Soweto. The operation was conducted by a multi-disciplinary police unit of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation units from Vaal Rand and Pretoria, with the help of JMPD, EMPD, Provincial Crime Intelligence, and Gauteng Provincial Tracking Team.

One of the homes was where a white VW Polo, which is suspected to have been used in the ambush, was recovered. Additional leads had officers search another home where two firearms were recovered one of its serial number scratched off and another turned out to be the official firearm of the late JMPD member.

The police officer was gunned down on 15 May when he responded to an attempted robbery at Extension 1 in Vlakfontein’s Winchester Street. The initial reports indicated that the officers had seen and were walking towards the suspect vehicle. However, the suspects had opened fire, rendering the officer fatally injured and making off with the officer’s service pistol. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

The first two suspects, both 27 and 25 years old, were apprehended shortly after the crime had been committed. All five suspects are already standing trial on charges of murder, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and defeating the ends of justice. They will appear before the Lenasia Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 19 May 2025.

A grim trend: Police officer killings on the rise

This latest attack adds to a deeply concerning trend of on-duty fatal attacks against police officers in South Africa.

According to the 2023/2024 annual crime report by the South African Police Service (SAPS), 73 police officers were killed between April 2023 and March 2024, where most of the killings occurred while performing official duties, like responding to robberies, stopping vehicles in traffic, and making arrests. This was up from the 64 officers killed in the prior year.

Of the total, 29 officers were killed while in service, and the remaining were off-duty when they were slain. The majority of these attacks were noted in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape, where Gauteng was a chronic leader among provinces with the highest police fatalities.

Commenting on this alarming trend, Gauteng Hawks Provincial Head, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, praised the work concerted towards the speedy arrests:

“The message is clear; attacks on peace officers will not go unpunished. The rapid response and dedication of this multidisciplinary task team are to be applauded. We will continue to pursue individuals who endanger peace officers and hold them accountable to the full extent of the law,” said Maj. Gen Kadwa.

The South African Policing Union (SAPU) and Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) have previously called on the government on several occasions to include assaults on the police as treason or as a national priority crime, arguing that attacking the police compromises the democratic state and public security.

Stolen police firearms fuel crime wave

The theft of the slain officer’s service pistol also points to another worrying trend: the diversion of state firearms into the hands of criminals. Between 2021 and 2023, over 700 police-issued firearms went missing or were stolen, the Civilian Secretariat for Police statistics reveal. The firearms often resurface in hijackings, cash-in-transit heists, and contract killings, placing police and civilians in greater danger. As a response, safety plans and multi-disciplinary task units like the one in this probe have been introduced by the SAPS and metro departments to crack down on gun-running syndicates and organised crime cells. Critics say, however, that more proactive community-based intelligence and internal accountability processes are needed to prevent such tragedies.

Call for better protection and equipment

Security experts and policing lobby groups have also urged an intensification of work to improve the working environment of members, including increased intelligence coordination, tactical training, availability of protective gear, and trauma debriefing for members.

The SAPS Budget Vote for 2024 also includes R2.4 billion for crime prevention and police visibility, some of which will go towards increasing officer safety and improvements in technology.

With the nation in mourning once again for a lost officer, pressure continues to be placed on legislative and operational reforms to silence the violence directed at those who serve and protect.

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The 46-year-old officer was ambushed on duty on Monday, 14 April 2025. His murder sparked an enormous manhunt that reached a peak in a high-stakes, multi-agency operation which unfolded across Johannesburg on Wednesday, 16 April, and Thursday, 17 April 2025.

Following intelligence and CCTV evidence, JMPD Tactical Response and K9 Unit members collaborated with the SAPS Anti-Kidnapping Task Team, DPCI Germiston, Gauteng and Sedibeng Crime Intelligence, EMPD CLU, Gauteng Traffic Police SLEU, and private security personnel. The collaborative effort led to numerous arrests and the seizure of high-powered weapons and hijacked vehicles.

A Coordinated crackdown

The first part of the operation was done at Leondale, where officers arrested two suspects and recovered an AK47, an R5 rifle, and two handguns, one miraculously found stuffed in a refrigerator. Officers also took possession of a Toyota Rumion, used to kill one of the officers.

During a second search in the same suburb, the third suspect was apprehended identified on CCTV as the alleged gunman. He was found to be in possession of a pistol believed to be the weapon used for the murder, and a hijacked Toyota Urban Cruiser that was attributed to a Bramley SAPS case.

The investigation took a dramatic turn when the suspect revealed the whereabouts of Officer Mbambo’s hijacked service weapon. Acting with speed, the team extended its operation to the Lawley Station Informal Settlement on Thursday morning. There, they arrested a fourth suspect – reported to be the brother of the alleged shooter – and took away Officer Mbambo’s service pistol. Although the serial number had been removed, preliminary tests confirmed the identity of the firearm. A hijacked VW Polo Vivo, which was connected to a Westonaria case, was also found on the property.

“Justice for one of our own”

In his remarks on the success of the operation, JMPD Chief of Police Commissioner Patrick Jaca praised the diligent effort of all participating units.

“This was a mission of great personal importance. Officer Mbambo was one of our own – he wore the badge with honour,” Jaca said.

“The professionalism and accuracy employed in bringing his killers to book sends a clear message: we don’t back down when our officers, or our city, are targeted.”

Jaca put special emphasis on the department’s on-going commitment to dismantling violent criminal groups, noting that the operation is part of a broader strategy to bring together intelligence-led policing and multi-agency partnership.

A Legacy of effective crime fighting

This is not the first time that JMPD has delivered body blows to crime gangs. In recent years, the department has played a pivotal role in dispersing car hijacking syndicates, reclaiming hijacked vehicles, and shutting down illegal firearms supply chains.

In 2023, the JMPD made headlines after arresting a syndicate operating a hijacked-vehicle chop shop in Crown Mines and seizing over 40 vehicle shells and parts. In 2024, the Tactical Response Unit helped in the release of kidnapped victims in joint raids in Lenasia and Hillbrow. Strategic deployment of drone surveillance, public tips, and forensic mapping by the department has seen it push back against urban crime in hot spots like Turffontein, Hillbrow, and Diepsloot.

INFOSTRIP | JMPD CRIME-FIGHTING IMPACT AT A GLANCE (2023–2025)

• 2,300+ illegal firearms recovered
• 1,800+ hijacked/stolen vehicles recovered
• 97 successful sting operations with SAPS
• 450+ suspects arrested in drug-related raids
• 30 kidnapped victims rescued
• Rollout of AI-integrated surveillance tech in 5 hotspot zones
• Deployment of K9 units in 12 precincts

Source: JMPD Annual Operational Review & SAPS Joint Taskforce Reports

JMPD Spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla welcomed the recent arrests as proof of the growing success of integrated policing in Gauteng.

“We mourn the death of Officer Mbambo, but we are determined as well that those who are guilty are held before the entire power of the law,” Fihla stated.

“This isn’t one case – it’s about regaining the confidence of the public and telling criminals we’re always looking and we’ll act.”

The road ahead

The four suspects are currently in detention and will be appearing in court soon. The investigation continues, with forensic experts currently looking into the guns and cars recovered for links to other crime investigations.

With the assassination of Officer Mbambo, the JMPD rededicated its resolve to protect its officers as well as those people they took an oath to serve. With the city mourning the loss of a dedicated civil servant, the successful operation lends a glimmer of justice – and a message regarding what can be done when police forces unite in one agenda.

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“We will build a force that reflects the highest possible standards of service,” he stated.

“By filling vacancies, cementing partnerships, and leveraging technology, we will make Johannesburg a safer city for all.”

Jaca’s appointment is a major milestone for the city’s law enforcement. Born in Alexandra Township, his career has stretched for more than three decades, starting in 1988 at the Alexandra Traffic Department, and later joining the JMPD in 2001. He rose through the ranks and became renowned for his dedication to crime prevention, by-law enforcement, and community policing.

His leadership comes at a time when Johannesburg is facing increasing urban crime, road safety concerns, and a demand for more vigorous by-law enforcement.

Chief of Police Jaca has established key priorities that will strengthen law enforcement and public safety:

– Restoring professionalism and accountability within the JMPD.

– Strengthen the by-law management unit to enforce tougher regulations.

– Revitalising the Inner-City Rejuvenation Project to bring back order and safety.

– Enhancing crime intelligence to dismantle organized syndicates and combat violent crime.

– Improving road safety and traffic management to reduce fatalities.

– Increasing officer visibility and response times in hotspots of crime.

–  Introducing smart technology to modernize crime prevention and traffic systems.

Jaca acknowledges there is a challenging journey ahead but is optimistic.

“We are at a crossroads. My priority is to build a disciplined, proactive force that restores trust in the community and acts decisively against crime. We will build a force feared by criminals but trusted by the people. By filling vacancies, strengthening partnerships, and leveraging technology, we will ensure the highest standards of service,” he affirmed.

Under Jaca’s leadership, the JMPD will be modernizing its operations with investments in cutting-edge surveillance systems, data-driven policing, and electronic crime prevention systems. Partnerships with the local business community, community leaders, and other law enforcement agencies will also be at the core of improving crime-fighting strategies.

With a focus on efficiency, moral policing, and public participation, Jaca envisions a revived JMPD that not only enforces the law but also creates trust between citizens and officers.

As the new Chief of Police, Jaca’s leadership signals a new era for the JMPD one that prioritizes security, innovation, and public confidence. With a bold strategy and a commitment to excellence, he is set to steer Johannesburg towards a safer and more secure future.

Meanwhile, MMC for Public Safety, Cllr Mgcini Tshwaku, congratulated Jaca, praising his integrity, vision, and dedication.

“Chief Jaca’s extensive experience and unwavering commitment to justice make him the ideal leader to steer the JMPD towards excellence and ensure a safer Johannesburg for all,” said Tshwaku.

South African Police Services (SAPS) Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy praised Jaca’s inauguration as a positive step towards destroying crime in Johannesburg.

“Jaca is one of our heroes who is feared by criminals as he was always present on the streets to frustrate criminals. He always instilled fear in criminals and JMPD officers were respected during his time, this inauguration is a well-deserved one.”

He further appealed to Jaca to restore hope to the citizens of Johannesburg.

“Make women and children feel safer as the leader of this area. I take it that the fight to bring law and order to Johannesburg has commenced with your inauguration. You are appointed by your excellence and not by accident, we believe you are the right man for the job, so make us proud as citizens and SAPS, “he added.

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