KEY POINTS
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A police sergeant was shot dead while heading to work.
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The attack happened in front of his Vrygrond residence.
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Police vowed to bring the suspects to justice.
A 48-year-old police sergeant was shot dead by gunmen, prompting police in the Western Cape to begin a manhunt.
Police sergeant fatally shot outside his Vrygrond home
Around five in the morning, the officer was ambushed outside his Vrygrond, Muizenberg, house as he was leaving for work at Wynberg SAPS.
While family members inside the house were uninjured, authorities discovered the officer on Thys Witbooi Street with several gunshot wounds.
The Western Cape police commissioner, Lieutenant General (Adv.) Thembisile Patekile, denounced the murder and pledged to prosecute those responsible for the horrific ambush.
“The full force of the law will be used to any attack on a member of the SAPS. Patekile declared in a statement that justice would be served.
Police have not yet confirmed a motive, but the case was taken over by the Hawks, or Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.
Crime statistics raise alarm after police sergeant fatally shot
Concerns about police safety and increasing criminal audacity are being raised by the shooting, which coincides with a nationwide uptick in attacks on law enforcement.
According to Iol, police Minister Senzo Mchunu revealed 22 officer deaths, 16 while off duty and 6 while on duty, in his presentation of Q4 crime statistics for 2024–2025.
When a police officer is attacked, the state is attacked as well. Such perpetrators would face severe punishment from the law, Mchunu declared.
Reiterating its dedication to safeguarding officers and reestablishing confidence, SAPS encouraged the public to provide anonymous reports by calling Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
Police stressed the brutality of the murder and promised prompt justice, vowing to search every possible place.
“This was a cowardly and purposeful crime against a dedicated cop. Patekile adamantly declared, “We will bring the killers to justice.”
