Cape Town - A suspect is expected to appear in the Athlone Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, for his alleged involvement in a hijacking incident in which an off-duty police officer, Sergeant Sakhumzi Mbucela, was stabbed and later succumbed to his injuries.
Mbucela, 40, stationed at Wynberg Vispol, was stabbed during an apparent robbery in Gugulethu on August 12.
Police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut said he was admitted to hospital where he died on August 14.
Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani said the scene unfolded in KTC, Gugulethu. a
Hani said the victim's vehicle was later recovered on the same day, with the help of the crime prevention unit.
"The Hawks’ National Priority Violent Crime team (NPVC) in Cape Town followed up on leads which led to the arrest of the 27-year-old suspect yesterday. Property of the deceased was recovered in the possession of the suspect," said Hani.
She said the suspect would be facing charges of hijacking, murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Community safety standing committee chairperson in the Western Cape Legislature Reagan Allen said it was unacceptable that police officers continue to be killed, even when off-duty.
Allen said the killing and attacking of police officers was an attack on the rule of law and the Constitution. It also lowered the number of boots on the ground.
“I condemn the killing and convey our sincere condolences to the family, friends and wider safety fraternity,” he said.
Allen said the committee had recently learned that from April 1, to end of June 2021, 32 officers were killed.
"This deserve public outcry. It should be demanded that justice is served."
sisonke.mlamla@inl.co.za