Cape Town has extended condolences to the family of Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officer Zanikhaya Kwinana, who was shot dead in Nyanga on Friday, and is offering a reward for information that may lead to the arrest of his killers.
It is believed his killing is related an ongoing taxi strike in the region.
“He was a passenger in a marked LEAP vehicle driving in the area just after 8pm last night when the vehicle came under heavy fire,” said MMC for safety and security JP Smith.
“When his colleagues realised he had been hit, they sped off to Heideveld Day Hospital, but the officer was declared deceased on arrival.” He was shot in the head.
Smith said the city has arranged counselling for the other officers who were in the vehicle, as well as LEAP deployees in Gugulethu where the officer was based.
“Initial indications are that as many as 13 bullets hit the vehicle, which means the shooter's intent was very clear. This callous attack must be condemned in the strongest terms and we will not rest until those responsible are caught and brought to justice.
“The city calls on anyone with information related to this attack to report it to the city’s toll-free tip-off line so the criminals can be arrested. Tips can be shared anonymously, and the city is offering a reward of up to R100,000 for credible information that leads to an arrest. The number is 0800 11 0077,” said Smith.
DA Western Cape spokesperson for community safety Gillion Bosman said the party condemned the incident.
"That LEAP officers travelling in an official vehicle were so clearly and brazenly attacked demonstrates that the ongoing atmosphere of lawlessness resulting from the Western Cape taxi strike has gone too far. The strike has lost any sense of legitimacy and has now become nothing more than an excuse for public violence, murder and intimidation.
“The DA in the Western Cape sends its condolences to Officer Kwinana’s family, friends and colleagues, and demands that every law-enforcement entity in the Western Cape works together as one to bring the perpetrators to book. There can be no excuse for this heinous act.”
“Those who have condoned the lawlessness and unrest caused by this strike are complicit in Officer Kwinana’s death. By encouraging chaos, a volatile situation has been created which has resulted in tragic and unnecessary bloodshed. I hope those parties who have declared themselves in support of the strike will now take the time to reconsider. This has moved from industrial action to an outright attack on decency and the rule of law in our country," Bosman said.
TimesLIVE
Cape Town offers reward for info that could put cop killer behind bars
Image: 123RF/ruslanphoto2
Cape Town has extended condolences to the family of Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officer Zanikhaya Kwinana, who was shot dead in Nyanga on Friday, and is offering a reward for information that may lead to the arrest of his killers.
It is believed his killing is related an ongoing taxi strike in the region.
“He was a passenger in a marked LEAP vehicle driving in the area just after 8pm last night when the vehicle came under heavy fire,” said MMC for safety and security JP Smith.
“When his colleagues realised he had been hit, they sped off to Heideveld Day Hospital, but the officer was declared deceased on arrival.” He was shot in the head.
Smith said the city has arranged counselling for the other officers who were in the vehicle, as well as LEAP deployees in Gugulethu where the officer was based.
“Initial indications are that as many as 13 bullets hit the vehicle, which means the shooter's intent was very clear. This callous attack must be condemned in the strongest terms and we will not rest until those responsible are caught and brought to justice.
“The city calls on anyone with information related to this attack to report it to the city’s toll-free tip-off line so the criminals can be arrested. Tips can be shared anonymously, and the city is offering a reward of up to R100,000 for credible information that leads to an arrest. The number is 0800 11 0077,” said Smith.
DA Western Cape spokesperson for community safety Gillion Bosman said the party condemned the incident.
"That LEAP officers travelling in an official vehicle were so clearly and brazenly attacked demonstrates that the ongoing atmosphere of lawlessness resulting from the Western Cape taxi strike has gone too far. The strike has lost any sense of legitimacy and has now become nothing more than an excuse for public violence, murder and intimidation.
“The DA in the Western Cape sends its condolences to Officer Kwinana’s family, friends and colleagues, and demands that every law-enforcement entity in the Western Cape works together as one to bring the perpetrators to book. There can be no excuse for this heinous act.”
“Those who have condoned the lawlessness and unrest caused by this strike are complicit in Officer Kwinana’s death. By encouraging chaos, a volatile situation has been created which has resulted in tragic and unnecessary bloodshed. I hope those parties who have declared themselves in support of the strike will now take the time to reconsider. This has moved from industrial action to an outright attack on decency and the rule of law in our country," Bosman said.
TimesLIVE
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