Cape Town – The deployment of the SA National
Defence Force (SANDF) into crime-riddled areas across the Cape Flats did not
stop a suspect from yesterday carrying
out a brazen attack on police officers by
opening fire on them in Delft, killing a
32-year-old constable, and wounding
two others.
The officers had responded to a tip-off about criminal activity just after midnight when they came under fire near a local shop. The 24-year-old suspect,
who had attempted to flee the scene, then opened fire on a second patrol vehicle.
The suspect was eventually wounded in his leg, and is currently under police guard in hospital.
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said one officer was killed and two others were seriously injured.
“A second patrol vehicle responded to the shooting, and was also shot at by the same suspect. They returned fire and injured the suspect who is currently under police guard in hospital. A firearm was seized,” said Van Wyk.
National police spokesperson
Vishnu Naidoo said the suspect was
wounded in his left leg.
The two wounded police officers
were admitted to hospital and were
receiving medical attention, said
Naidoo.
The SANDF was last week
deployed to patrol in 10 dangerous
precincts, including Delft, to, among
others, quell organised crime.
Police Minister Bheki Cele said
the SANDF would work with the
police and other law enforcement
agencies for three months.
As a result of the attack on the
officers yesterday, a meeting was
held at the Delft police station where
the CPF called for the removal of the
station commander.
Delft CPF chairperson Charles
George said the Delft community “is
bleeding”.
“We condemn this killing and
injuring of officers. (Yesterday)
morning we held a meeting at the
station where we demanded our
cluster commander to have our Delft
SAPS management removed as well
as the station commander.
“We feel that crime in our area
has spiralled out of control and we
need a new sheriff in town to get a
grip on the crime in our community.
At the moment, gangsters are
ridiculing police and are taking their
lives and we cannot have that,” he
said.
George said they were reassured
that police deployment in the
area would be increased. Van Wyk
confirmed deployment in the area
was intensified.
In Manenberg, CPF chairperson
Abdul Kader said the army and the
specialised units managed to stabilise
the area a bit on Thursday, but he
questioned how long it would last.
Philippi East community leader
Ncedo Marikeni said they were
worried that all they have been
promised, including getting a station
commander by Cele, would not be
fulfilled.
Marikeni said July marked
the seventh month since the station
was without leadership.
Residents have been urged
to report illegal activity to Crime
Stop at 08600 100.