The identity of the officer will only be released once her family has been informed of the killing.  

According to the spokesperson for the commissioner's office, brigadier Vishnu Naidoo, a group of armed suspects travelling in a Mercedes Benz and a Ford Ranger attacked the cash-in-transit vehicle on the Mahikeng/Lichtenberg Road on Thursday morning. 

"The suspects used explosives to gain access to the cash but before actually removing the cash from the CIT vehicle, members from the Hawks and the National Intervention Unit responded.

"The suspects fled in both vehicles without taking any money. A high speed chase ensued towards the Mahikeng CBD. Police lost track of the suspects in the Mercedes Benz, but the chase for the Ford Ranger continued until Mahikeng, where a shootout took place between the suspects and the police in the CBD," said Naidoo. 

The Hawks member was killed after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head, he added. 

Three civilians were also wounded during the shootout. 

Naidoo said no arrests had been made but "intensive investigations" were taking place.

National police commissioner, general Khehla Sitole conveyed his condolences to the family of the fallen colleague and called upon provincial police leadership in North West to immediately mobilise the 72-hour activation plan.

"I have directed that our various police units throughout the country be on the lookout for these suspects,” said Sitole.

Anyone with any information on the matter has been asked to contact the SAPS Crime Stop number on 086 00 10111, or to provide information via the MySAPSApp. All information would be treated with the strictest confidence and callers could remain anonymous, said Naidoo. 

African News Agency (ANA)