Cape Town - An off-duty police officer was shot and killed in Makhaza on Monday. According to reports from sources close to the investigation, the officer was visiting a female friend in Makhaza, driving a police-marked vehicle.
While he was sitting with her in the vehicle in Nkcazo Street, an unknown gunman approached the vehicle and fired several shots.
The pair were injured.
In an attempt to flee, the officer started the vehicle to drive away but hit a house close by. The vehicle came to a standstill in the kitchen area of the house.
The shooter followed into the yard and shot again into the vehicle, then walked away.
The officer died on the scene, while his friend sustained gunshot wounds to the left shoulder and both her upper legs. She was admitted to the hospital and is in a stable condition.
Police found 20 bullet cartridges at the scene.
The motive behind the shooting is unknown at this stage and the officer had no service firearm with him at the time of the incident.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed the incident but said the case is being investigated by the Hawks.
“Kindly forward your enquiry to the spokesperson for the DPCI for a suitable response,” he said.
Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani said: “I can confirm that the Hawks are investigating the matter and the investigation is ongoing.”