Cape Town - The man accused of stabbing an officer to death made his first appearance at the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The accused, Phindile Sonyabashe, handed himself over to the police on Saturday, the day after the incident happened in Mfuleni.
The victim was a police constable stationed at Harare police station.
Hawks spokesperson Siyabulela Vukubi said: “A 59-year-old suspect had on Saturday handed himself to the police as a result of an engagement with the Serious Organised Crime Investigation team of the Hawks for his alleged involvement in the murder of a police official in Mfuleni.
“It is alleged that on Friday the suspect and the victim had an altercation that resulted in the suspect stabbing the victim to death. He made his first appearance; the matter is postponed to November 9 for bail information. The accused is remanded in custody.”
The accused elected a Legal Aid lawyer. According to the State, there were no pending matters but there was a possible warrant of arrest. The court also heard that the witnesses reside near the accused home.
Western Cape Community Policing Forum chairperson Francina Lukas said: “The killing of police officers in this province is a concern. Before they are officers, they are community members, parents or children, so it’s really sad and regrettable that lives can be taken so easily and that the people who commit these heinous crimes do them without thinking twice.
“It is even more of a concern because officers nowadays are in demand to ensure the safety of our community and when they are supposed to be our protectors, they are being killed.”
mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za