Fallen NIU member Warrant Officer Magoxo laid to rest.

Hundreds of mourners gathered at Lwandlana Location in Mqanduli on 2 October 2026 for the funeral of Warrant Officer Thando Magoxo.

Magoxo, 51, was a member of the Mthatha National Intervention Unit and was killed on 18 September at Ziphunzana Location in Sikhobeni, Libode, while responding to an armed attack at a spaza shop.

He was killed alongside Constable Ntlahla Tyhali, 30, of Mthatha Public Order Policing. SAPS said both officers were found with gunshot wounds and their service pistols had been stolen.

Magoxo served in specialised units for much of his career, joining the National Intervention Unit in 2007 after serving in Crime Intelligence.

Eastern Cape Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha, Health MEC Ntandokazi Capa and senior SAPS officials attended the funeral.

SAPS praised Magoxo’s service and said those responsible for attacks on police officers would be pursued and brought before the courts.

Following the killings, SAPS activated a 72-hour plan. Police said two suspects were arrested, while three others were fatally wounded during follow-up operations.

An AK-47 rifle and three handguns were also recovered.

Constable Tyhali is expected to be laid to rest on Sunday, 4 October, at St Augustine Location in Tsolo.

SAPS said investigations into the murders remain ongoing.