Cape Town - Members of the police were among those in the front row of the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday when the man charged with shooting and killing one of their own made his court appearance.
Ashwin Pedro, 26, a member of the Grassy Park police, was killed in the line of duty on December 1, in Parkwood. A 42-year-old suspect, Denzil October, was arrested just hours after the officer was shot.
At about 7.20pm, Pedro was in the passenger seat of a patrol vehicle, responding to a tip-off about an armed and suspicious person. The constable got out of the vehicle and a scuffle ensued between the two.
Pedro’s partner got out of the vehicle to assist his partner, and the suspect removed the partner’s gun and allegedly shot the constable twice in his chest. He died just minutes later.
The suspect fled to Ravensmead where the community informed the police that he was in hiding in the area. Police found the suspect with the police firearm that had killed Pedro.
The suspect had dropped a gas gun at the scene of the shooting, which was also found.
October appeared briefly before the court for his second court appearance, and the matter has since been postponed to February 9.
Grassy Park station commander Dawood Laing said the matter had been postponed for further investigation.
“He alleges that he is sorry, but it does not cut it, because he killed one of my members, he was still a child,” Laing said.
October, who is unemployed, has obtained private legal representation. He will appear remotely via video link for the next appearance from Pollsmoor Prison.
“He told the court that he does not want to apply for bail. We will oppose bail with all we’ve got,” Laing said.
Laing said Pedro had attempted to shoot the suspect, but missed as it is believed he was already wounded at the time.
The suspect appeared last Monday but the matter was postponed as he did not secure legal representation. It is alleged that the suspect, a known gangster, was out on bail for alleged rape at the time of the shooting.
Meanwhile, loved ones of the constable paid tribute to him last Saturday at the Old Apostolic Church in Lavender Hill, which service was attended by Police Minister Bheki Cele.