Dead cop's hands, feet bound
2013-06-18 14:46
Major General Tirhani Maswanganyi
(Photo supplied by SAPS)
Johannesburg - Police are awaiting an autopsy
report on the cause of death of Johannesburg police cluster commander Major
General Tirhani Simon Maswanganyi whose body was found with his hands and feet
tied in a field near Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, on Tuesday, police said.
"[At] approximately 03:00 this morning the body of the officer was found in a bushy area next to the road," Gauteng commissioner Lieutenant General Mzwandile Petros said.
"His hands and feet were tied up."
A police patrol found Maswanganyi's abandoned Isuzu bakkie next to the R101 on Monday evening, he said. A police uniform and police identification card were in the bakkie, which prompted a search.
Police were waiting for an autopsy report on the cause of death. Petros said there were no gunshot wounds. He said Maswanganyi had more than 31 years' service in the police.
"We will do everything in our power to locate and bring the perpetrators of this crime to book.
"I have assembled a team of detectives under the leadership of the deputy provincial commissioner for detective services, Major General Tebello Mosikili, and investigators from the provincial investigation unit and organised crime to investigate the murder," said Petros.
The Democratic Alliance sent its condolences to Maswanganyi's family, friends, and colleagues.
"By all accounts he was a dedicated policeman who keenly felt the need to make a difference in the fight against crime," DA MPL Kate Lorimer said in a statement.
"[At] approximately 03:00 this morning the body of the officer was found in a bushy area next to the road," Gauteng commissioner Lieutenant General Mzwandile Petros said.
"His hands and feet were tied up."
A police patrol found Maswanganyi's abandoned Isuzu bakkie next to the R101 on Monday evening, he said. A police uniform and police identification card were in the bakkie, which prompted a search.
Police were waiting for an autopsy report on the cause of death. Petros said there were no gunshot wounds. He said Maswanganyi had more than 31 years' service in the police.
"We will do everything in our power to locate and bring the perpetrators of this crime to book.
"I have assembled a team of detectives under the leadership of the deputy provincial commissioner for detective services, Major General Tebello Mosikili, and investigators from the provincial investigation unit and organised crime to investigate the murder," said Petros.
The Democratic Alliance sent its condolences to Maswanganyi's family, friends, and colleagues.
"By all accounts he was a dedicated policeman who keenly felt the need to make a difference in the fight against crime," DA MPL Kate Lorimer said in a statement.
- SAPA
