Police have launched a manhunt after two officers were murdered while out on patrol.
Western Cape acting provincial commissioner Major-General Thembisile Patekile has instituted a 72-hour activation plan to mobilise various police units to find and arrest those responsible for the death of the two Kraaifontein cops in the early hours of Sunday morning.
“At around 1.25am the members were on patrol in Phumla Street in Bloekombos when their vehicle came under fire in an apparent ambush,” he said.
“Both members were killed on the scene and robbed of their official firearms,” police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut said on Sunday.
On Sunday, grieving colleagues from Kraaifontein SAPS were at the scene, washing away the blood of the deceased from the road.
One of the murdered officers was identified on the scene by a relative as Constable Mninawa Breakfast, a married father of two children, a 13-year-old boy and six-year-old daughter.
“Breakfast was a family man, he lived for his wife and children. His wife is also in the police force,” the woman says.
“We are from Langa, an ex-cop brought us from Langa to the scene.
“Breakfast was a real gentleman, and he loved being a policeman.
“This was his second last night shift in Kraaifontein, we are so shocked at what happened.”
The former cop, who declined to be named, said Breakfast was a fitness fanatic and trained with him and other officers and members of the Navy.
“Last week he still trained officers in Muizenberg. He was very active and fit and was appointed as the coach of the Cape Pioneers Endurance Walkers Club and was one of the members who would always lend a helping hand to others.
“He was a good officer and always on the straight and narrow.”
The other officer was identified as 48-year-old Sergeant Mdoka.
The Bishop Lavis CPF has extended their condolences to the families of the slain officers “who paid the ultimate price while serving the community”.
“As a community we say an attack on a police officer is an attack on the community and nation ultimately, and we condemn this senseless murders,” it said.
“SAPS Management and the Minister must look at legislation to prevent anyone to even consider attacking our police.”