The recent flare-up of gang violence in Lavender Hill has now also claimed the life of a policeman.
Sergeant Donovan Prins, 34, a member of the Crime Prevention Unit (CPU) at Steenberg SAPS was on patrol in Fawley Court, where the Mongrels and Corner Boys gangs have been shooting since Sunday in a battle for drug turf.
Since Sunday, five people have been shot, three of whom have died.
It is believed Prins and his partner gave chase after seeing five suspicious men.
The officers chased two suspects into Grindel Avenue, and were greeted by gunfire.
Prins, who was driving the SAPS vehicle, was shot at close range on the right side of his upper body and his partner immediately rushed him to Melomed Hospital in Tokai where he sadly died.
Recent and former colleagues who spoke to the Daily Voice all described Prins as an outstanding police officer.
“He was the cream of the crop. He was one of the most hardworking cops I know,” one officer said.
“Hy het nie k*k gevat van enige een nie. He was always so dedicated and always had a nice broad smile.”
SALUTE: Mourned by SAPS colleagues
Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel André Traut, says the full might of the law has been unleashed to bring the killers to book.
“The Western Cape police management wishes to express their sincere condolences to the family and colleagues of the member who died while protecting the community, and assure them that every endeavour will be made to apprehend the suspects so that they can be prosecuted with the full might of the law,” he said.
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, condemned Prins’ murder and says the City has called for an urgent meeting with SAPS and the Department of Community Safety.
“The death of any person at the hands of violent criminals is a tragedy and deserves an outcry from the whole community, but even more so when it is a member of our safety and security fraternity,” he said.
“The City’s Safety and Security Investigative Unit will reach out to the South African Police Service to offer assistance with the investigation.”
robin.francke@inl.co.za