A Divergent Ops armed reaction officer was tragically shot and killed in the line of duty on the night of April 18 in Riverside, Mbombela. The suspect, believed to have used an AK-47 in the attack, was later arrested and found hiding on a rooftop.

According to Divergent Ops, the officer was patrolling near Riverside Mall at around 23:00 when he spotted a suspicious man walking along the R40 carrying a heavy white bag. After the man refused to stop, the officer called for backup and followed him down a hill behind the bus stop at Mafunyane.

It is believed the suspect then ambushed and fatally shot the officer in the head with the AK-47. When the backup unit arrived, they were also shot at but managed to return fire. Reinforcements were called in as the suspect fled through broken fencing and into the Riverside Mall parking area, eventually climbing onto the mall’s roof.

The next morning, at around 07:00, mall staff spotted a bleeding man on the roof. Divergent Ops and the SAPS responded and found the suspect hiding with the firearm still in front of him. He was arrested and taken to hospital for medical treatment.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our brave colleague and salute our fallen hero,” said Divergent Ops. The officer’s name has not been released to the public.

Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli confirmed the incident and the arrest, adding that more information would be shared as the investigation progresses.