The suspected 16-year-old smash-and-grabber, who was recently shot dead by a motorist, tried to stab a metro police officer five months ago, a City of Cape Town official said on Thursday.
Siphesihle Khungwana was believed to have been out on bail after being arrested in September last year for another smash-and-grab and attacking a metro police officer, safety and security mayoral committee member JP Smith said.
A functional judicial system would have prevented his killing, he said.
Khungwana was shot dead, allegedly by a motorist, in Bonteheuwel on Monday.
At the time of his death, he was wearing the same pants he wore when he was arrested in September for the same offence, Smith said.
Two officers found him on Jakes Gerwel Drive, the same stretch of road where he was shot dead, with a stolen bag in hand. He resisted arrest and tried to stab one of the officers. His partner thwarted the attack by shooting Khungwana in the hip.
“[He should have] been in jail due to the attack on the Metro Police officer with a dangerous weapon five months ago, however he was still roaming the street. That's why we have cop killings,” Smith said.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila was not immediately able to confirm the reason for Khungwana's release, but would follow up.
In addition to the handbag, 12 cards, one driver's licence, a brush, a CD and R645 in cash were found in his possession in September.
“This suspect is well known for this type of crime and we urged the investigating officer to link the other cases observed via the CCTV system,” Smith said.
On Tuesday, Western Cape police declined to say whether the woman who allegedly shot Khungwana on Monday would be arrested.
Captain FC Van Wyk would only confirm that criminal cases were opened.
Metro police deputy chief Yolande Faro on Monday said the youth smashed the car’s window and the woman driver shot him around 14:00.
She drove to the local police station and was “extremely shocked and traumatised”. She was given trauma counselling.
The scene is a known hot spot for smash-and-grabs. Faro said and the city had regular patrols there.
Source: News24
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