A police officer was fatally shot while pursuing suspects last night.
The 34-year-old Sergeant was shot in Grindel Crescent, Lavender Hill last night at approximately 11.15pm, when he and fellow members of the Crime Prevention Unit at the Steenberg Police Station were patrolling in Fawley Court. They spotted five suspects, who immediately fled. The suspects opened fire on the officer as he was getting behind the wheel of his police vehicle, fatally wounding him.
He was immediately transported to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“The Western Cape police management wishes to express their sincere condolences to the family and colleagues of the member who died while protecting the community, and assure them that every endeavour will be made to apprehend the suspects so that they can be prosecuted with the full might of the law,” said South African Police Services (SAPS) Luitenant-Colonel André Traut.
“My deepest sympathy goes out to family and friends of two members of the safety and security fraternity who died in the line of duty in recent days,” Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said in a statement.
“The City’s Safety and Security Investigative Unit will reach out to the South African Police Service to offer assistance with both investigations,” he added.
“We also call on anyone with information to please come forward and contact the South African Police Service or the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre by dialling 021 480 7700 from a cellphone, or 107 from a landline.”
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