Off-duty cop dies helping his friend

Detective Warrant Officer Faud Gamieldien who was attached to the Roodepan detective unit, was stabbed to death allegedly by the stepson of one of his friends. Picture: Supplied

Detective Warrant Officer Faud Gamieldien who was attached to the Roodepan detective unit, was stabbed to death allegedly by the stepson of one of his friends. Picture: Supplied

Published Feb 1, 2016

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Roodepan - A well-known city policeman died in hospital after he was stabbed while trying to help one of his friends who was being attacked by his stepson.

After Detective Warrant Officer Faud Gamieldien was stabbed by the attacker he attempted to drive himself to safety, but, as a result of blood loss, crashed his vehicle into a fence at a house in Homelite.

He later died in hospital.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in the Northern Cape is investigating a case of murder and attempted murder following Gamieldien’s death on Friday.

According to police, a suspect was arrested several hours later.

Gamieldien, who was attached to the Roodepan detective unit, died after he was stabbed, allegedly by the stepson of one of his friends.

According to the deceased’s brother-in-law, Conrad Fortune, the incident occurred when Gamieldien tried to intervene during an altercation between his friend and his friend’s stepson.

“Faud was visiting his friend and he was sitting inside a car while his friend was standing outside talking to him. The friend and his stepson then became involved in an altercation. The stepson assaulted the friend and stabbed him in the head. Faud tried to open the passenger door of the vehicle for his friend in order to take him to the hospital.

“The stepson then stabbed Faud under the arm,” Fortune said.

Gamieldien tried to drive himself to hospital after the incident.

“Faud drove off in an attempt to get to the hospital, however, due to the extreme blood loss he blacked out and crashed into a fence at a house in Homelite,” Fortune said.

According to Fortune they only found out about the stabbing after Faud’s wife, Mashay, contacted them. Mashay is also a police officer.

“I was watching my son play cricket when my mother called to say that Faud had been in a car accident. She did not know at the time that he had been stabbed and thought he was in hospital for the accident.

“We then rushed to the Gariep Hospital and my sister (Mashay) told us that Faud had been stabbed. He was still alive when he was rushed to hospital but later died as a result of the stabbing and not the accident,” he said.

Fortune said the family, especially his brother-in-law’s daughter, is traumatised by the event.

“This is a very traumatic experience for the family, especially for my sister and Faud’s only daughter, who is a student in Stellenbosch. We are going through an emotional time.

“The hardest part to comprehend about his death is the manner in which he died.”

The MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Martha Bartlett, on Sunday sent her condolences to the family.

“The death of Warrant Officer Gamieldien is not only a loss to his family but also to the police service, the Province and especially the community of Roodepan. We will forever be thankful for the contribution he has made towards the establishment of safer homes and schools and safer communities,” said Bartlett.

She also had a stern warning for those who attack the men and women in blue.

“We must emphasise that we value our police officers. They are our buffer against crime. We would like to warn criminals who take chances and attack police officers that they are hitting the heart of the government and we will respond vigorously,” Bartlett said.

Police spokesman, Lieutenant Sergio Kock, confirmed the incident.

“On Friday, at approximately 4.30pm, Detective Warrant Officer Faud Gamieldien and his friend were sitting in his vehicle. Gamieldien’s vehicle was parked at the home of his friend in Roodepan. The two men were attacked by a man with a knife. Gamieldien was transported to hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

“The other victim also received treatment in hospital but was later discharged. The suspect was arrested several hours later by the Roodepan police in the vicinity of the local cemetery.

“Gamieldien was a detective at the Roodepan detective unit and was off duty at the time of the incident.

“Anyone with information regarding the incident can contact Detective Lieutenant Danie Bruwer on 071 481 3378. The investigation continues,” Kock said.

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