A Mpumalanga traffic officer was killed during an entanglement with his lover after two assailants grabbed his gun from the floor and shot him dead.

Late Saturday afternoon the traffic cop parked his white Ford Ranger in the bushes between Hazyview and Graskop.

The 60-year-old Judas Chiloane took off his uniform and got ready for a good time with an unidentified female friend.

But it was not to be. Chiloane and the woman were allegedly disturbed by two unknown suspects. One of them grabbed the cop’s firearm from his uniform, which was on the ground, and shot him.

The wounded officer tried to drive off in his bakkie but succumbed to his injuries a few metres from the scene. His girlfriend escaped unharmed and called the police.

Two men, both aged 35, were arrested in connection with Chiloane’s murder during a Hawks operation near Bushbuckridge on Monday, said spokesperson Captain Dineo Sekgotodi.

“The police in Mpumalanga diligently pursued all information received from the public, which resulted in the duo being detained for questioning,” said Sekgotodi. “Further investigation led the team to one of the suspect’s houses, where a search was conducted.

“A pistol with a serial number obliterated was found and seized for further investigation.”

The two men will appear in the White River Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, she said.

Pictured above: A gun was found on suspects accused of killing a Mpumalanga traffic cop

Image source: SAPS Mpumalanga