South African police in North West police are hunting for two male suspects involved in the murder of a 36-year-old policewoman on Monday, 30 November.

Provincial police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone urges members of the public with any information on the whereabouts of the suspects to come forward.

The deceased, Julia Makgareetsa was a part of a team that on Monday was following up on a tip-off that three suspects alleged to have been committing serious and violent crimes in the Marikana area were hiding out in an RDP house in the Rooikoppies township.

Mokgwabone says the suspects spotted the authorities and a shootout ensued between the police and the assailants.

Makgareetsa was tragically shot in the chest and died from her injuries, but she wasn’t the only one struck in the shootout.

The third suspect was hit in the leg and taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention. Mokgwabone confirms the suspect is being guarded at the unnamed hospital.

A pistol loaded with ammunition was found in the injured suspect’s possession.

The policewoman’s death has caused outrage in the North West policing fraternity.

North West Police Commissioner, Sello Kwena has condemned Makgareetsa’s murder and mobilised a 72-hour activation plan meant to track down the two suspects. Kwena is quoted as saying the killing of police officers is unacceptable.