A suspect has been shot, arrested and is under police guard in hospital following a shooting in which a constable was killed, and two other cops injured.
National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Khehla John Sithole has condemned the attack on the Delft SAPS members early Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, the community police forum and residents claim Brigadier Phindiwe Ntungele is not equipped to handle the volume of crime taking place in Delft and especially Blikkiesdorp, where they say 70 people have been killed since the beginning of the year.
They say they want the female commander, who is currently on leave, replaced by the acting station commander, Colonel Celani Sihale.
The three constables were in their patrol vehicle in Spekboom Street at 12.50am when a man opened fire on them.
24-year-old suspect was shot in the hip by police and busted. Picture supplied
“During the early hours of [Sunday] morning, three constables were attacked by a lone gunman at Delft South, resulting in the death of one member and two others being wounded,” Sithole’s office said in a statement.
Constable Construction Khetiwe, 32, died instantly after being shot in the head, while another officer was wounded above his left eye, and the third in his arm.
Police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk says the suspect fled and then shot at a police patrol vehicle which had responded to the shooting.
These officers returned fire and wounded the 24-year-old suspect in the left hip in Sandelhout Street.
A firearm was seized and police intensified deployment in the area, Van Wyk said.
Constable Construction Khetiwe was killed in a shootout while on patrol in Delft South yesterday morning. Picture supplied
Sources say the suspect, who is under police guard at Tygerberg Hospital, has refused to give his name to cops.
The attack comes two days after the army was deployed in Delft to assist police in combating crime.
On Friday morning about 300 residents from Blikkiesdorp in Delft called for the army to be deployed because they are gatvol of violence.
They blocked roads, burnt tyres and stoned the private vehicle of Delft acting police station commander Colonel Sihali as he was driving to work.
Protesters claim the top cop had stopped his larney silver Mercedes- Benz, got out and opened fire on them before speeding away from the scene.
“He shot live ammunition at the crowd; no-one shot at him,” a protester said.
“He drove away and then stopped and got out of his car and shot, obviously the community will retaliate by throwing.”
The attack comes two days after the army was deployed in Delft to assist police in combating crime. Picture: Leon Knipe
Police would not comment on the issue of shots being fired, but police spokesperson Siyabulela Malo confirmed a case of malicious damage to property has been opened after a brick was flung through the back window of Ntungele's car.
A few hours later, residents’ prayers were answered when SANDF soldiers arrived.
The Daily Voice counted eight armoured SANDF vehicles and over 60 armed soldiers who secured intersections and streets leading in and out of the area while police carried out searches.
Police did not respond to queries if any arrests had been made during this operation.
Troops arrive in Blikkiesdorp during residents' protest on Friday. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane/African News Agency (ANA)
In June, five men were shot and killed inside a hokkiein Blikkiesdorp and last weekend, six homes were torched, three vehicles set alight, and a 27-year-old man shot and killed.
Protesting residents also demanded proper housing, saying some of them had been living in Blikkiesdorp since its establishment as a temporary relocation area in 2007.
Pastor Charles George, chairperson of the Delft CPF, says Ntungele and her staff are not equipped to deal with the high levels of crime in the area.
In a meeting with Blue Downs Cluster Commander, Major- General Vincent Beaton, yesterday, George requested assistance to get police back on track.
“We need more boots on the ground and a person in charge who knows how to deal with the massive level of crime in Delft and all its innocent residents have to endure,” he said.
“With the deployment of the army, it is still too early to say if they will have any impact. We don’t know what their purpose or operations entail.”
Army in Blikkiesdorp on Friday. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane/African News Agency (ANA)
Beaton acknowledged that Delft is plagued by “a massive gang problem, poverty, unemployment and socio-economic challenges which increase crime in the area”.
“I note the serious concerns from the CPF and the matter of the station commander has been escalated to provincial [structures] and the station commander will have time to respond to the allegations made here today.
“We have increased the police presence in the area and will continue working with the community structures.”
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