A man believed to be behind the killing of a police officer in Khayelitsha on Saturday 21 January has been arrested after he handed himself in at the Lingelethu Police Station.
The 40-year-old suspect surrendered to the police the next day, Sunday 22 January.
According to reports, the accused stabbed Capt Siphumeza Lusasa (37) at Epakini Chilling Spot along Spine Road in Litha Park.
Lusasa, who was attached to the Muizenberg Police Station, was reportedly on standby when the incident happened.
Provincial Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani said Lingelethu police received a complaint of a stabbing at about 21:40 on the Saturday. “It is reported that Lusasa was on standby duties at the time of the incident. It is alleged that he was involved in an argument with a lady where the suspect, who is the boyfriend of the lady, attacked the officer and stabbed him multiple times,” she said.
Hani said a resident, who was at the scene, rushed Lusasa to the Khayelitsha District Hospital. He was declared dead on arrival.
Hani said the suspect allegedly fled the scene, but he later handed himself over to the police. He made his first court appearance at the Khayelitsha Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 24 January on a charge of murder. The case has been postponed to Monday 30 January for the bail application.
Lingelethu Community Policing Forum chair Lunga Guza said the community is disturbed by the incident. He urged any person with relevant information to come forward.
“We condemn the killing of any person in our society, particularly of the police officers because they are protecting us. Anyone who attacks the police is attacking our justice and that person deserves to rot in jail. It is our responsibility to ensure the safety of our men in blue because they are part of our community,” said Guza. He stated that no person deserves to die like that. He continued saying that it is time for the community to reclaim the streets from the criminals.