AN off-duty policeman from Sydenham SAPS was shot by his commander, following his arrest for housebreaking on Wednesday night.
According to Colonel Thembeka Mbhele from provincial SAPS, at around 2.30pm on Wednesday, the policeman, along with an accomplice, had allegedly broken into a business premises on North Coast Road and fled the scene in their getaway vehicle.
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Security guards that were in the vicinity responded and gave chase.
“The suspects aged 31 and 35 were apprehended and found in possession of stolen property and house-breaking implements. It was later established that one of the suspects is a police official stationed at Sydenham SAPS and was off-duty when the offence was committed. A case of house-breaking was opened for investigation at Greenwood Park SAPS,” said Mbhele.
She said the policeman’s commander was contacted and attended to the incident.
The commander escorted the handcuffed police official to his residence in Westville to seize his firearm.
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It is alleged that while at the suspect’s residence, the 31-year-old constable managed to retrieve his firearm and pointed it in the direction of his commander.
“It is alleged that the commander then fired shots in the direction of the suspect resulting in him being fatally wounded,” said Mbhele.
Acting provincial commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa, was disturbed by the turn of events. “We are disappointed to find one of our own police officers being involved in crime. It is sad that he lost his life as a result of his actions. We once again re-iterate our commitment to rooting out corrupt elements within the SAPS and if a police official is suspected of being involved in crime, we will ensure that they do not receive special treatment,” he said.
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