A FORMER investigator linked to the Senzo Meyiwa murder case was the target of an armed robbery and attempted kidnapping.

The incident happened in the early hours of Thursday morning, 15 May, but police say no sensitive documents or original case evidence were taken.

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola confirmed that the officer, who was driving a state vehicle, was attacked just after midnight on 15 May, in Lombardy East, Joburg.

A group of suspects allegedly followed him and forced him to stop. They overpowered him and tried to force him into the boot of their car. The officer resisted and managed to escape unharmed.

Items stolen during the robbery include a state-issued firearm and ammunition, a police reflector jacket, a laptop bag containing a laptop and USB drives, and photocopies of documents related to the Senzo Meyiwa case.

Despite this, Masemola stressed that no original exhibits or sensitive documentation related to the case were compromised.

He confirmed that a high-level team led by Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni has been assigned to investigate the attack and hunt the perpetrators down.

“I would like to assure the country and the Meyiwa family that this unfortunate incident will not, in any way, affect the ongoing murder trial as only copies of the Occurrence Book and Cell registers were taken. It should be noted that these documents were already presented before court when this member testified and was cross-examined in court. Original registers and the case docket are safeguarded accordingly.

“A high-level team is investigating whether this attack is linked to the ongoing murder trial that is in court. A multidisciplinary team led by Crime Intelligence officers are on the ground, searching for these suspects,” said General Masemola.

General Masemola also confirmed that the former investigator did not sustain any injuries during the ordeal.

As the trial continues, police are urging anyone with information on the suspects’ whereabouts to come forward and assist with the investigation.

The murder of Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa in 2014 remains one of the country’s most talked-about cases, and the trial is ongoing in the Pretoria High Court.