A senior Hawks investigator has been gunned down outside Mbombela in Mpumalanga. Hawks spokesperson, Hangwani Mulaudzi, says LeRoy Bruwer was shot and killed on his way to work.
Bruwer was attached to the serious organised crime unit and one of Hawks’ top investigators in the province.
Mulaudzi says Bruwer was investigating high-profile cases including cash in transit heists and rhino poaching.
“He was ambushed by unknown suspects. They were using high calibre firearms AK47 and unfortunately, he lost his life. A case has now been opened, a murder case is being investigated, the motive there off we are not sure. However, we have sent our condolences to his family, to his colleagues that he worked with. He was one of our high notch investigators that were dealing with wildlife investigations,” says Mulaudzi.
Mulaudzi says they suspect that Hawks investigators are now being targeted. Bruwer was investigating high-profile cases including cash in transit heists and rhino poaching.
“He was an experienced investigator. He was responsible for Wildlife investigation in Mpumalanga, your cash in transit. We have lost a very dedicated member who has taken so many people to jail, and there were others that we were supposed to be starting cases in court. So, which means a loss. We will have to now shift and see how best we are going to present these cases in court.”
No one has been arrested for killing the investigator. The Hawks have requested the public to assist in bringing to book, those involved.
About two weeks ago, another Hawks officer has been shot dead during a cash-in-transit heist in Mahikeng, North West. Armed suspects attacked a cash vehicle and used explosives to gain access to it. Three members of the public were shot and wounded.
In the video below, a report on the Hawks incident in Mahikeng:
