Africa-Press – South-Africa. Western Cape police have arrested a 42-year-old man who allegedly “shot and killed a Grassy Park constable in cold blood”.
Anti-Gang Unit members arrested him “at his hideout” in Ravensmead late on Thursday night, according to police spokesperson, Colonel AndreĢ Traut.
The 26-year-old constable was shot in Blackbird Avenue, Grassy Park, at around 17:45 on Thursday while he and a colleague were responding to reports of an armed suspect in the area.
“During an altercation with the suspect, the member sustained a fatal gunshot wound to his chest, while his partner escaped the incident unharmed. The suspect fled the crime scene,” Traut said.
“The 9mm pistol he stole during the altercation with the SAPS members was found in his possession and confiscated,” Traut added.
The Hawks are still investigating the circumstances of the incident.
The man is expected to appear in Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Meanwhile, community members have started a petition to lobby against the man’s release on bail.
“We further request that the honourable court, should they find the suspect guilty of their crimes, that [he is] given the strictest sentence possible that the law will allow.
“A strong message must be sent out to criminals in South Africa that the judiciary and citizens of this country do not tolerate the murder of our SAPS and law enforcement officers,” the petition stated.
The latest quarterly crime stats indicated that five officers were killed between July and September. Four of them were off duty at the time.
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