Off-Duty LEAP Officer Fatality

A OFF-duty Law Enforcement Advancement Programme (LEAP) officer lost his life during a hijacking incident on Sheffield Road near Philippi, where his vehicle was discovered abandoned on Sunday.

JP Smith, the safety and security mayco member, reported that two suspected hijackers were involved in the attack on the 26-year-old officer. One of the suspects has been apprehended.

 “LEAP officers arrived at the Sheffield Road scene on Sunday, where they found the officer’s abandoned vehicle. The 26-year-old was off duty at the time he was attacked by two individuals. The assailants stabbed him multiple times and also hurled stones at him.

“His colleagues located him in the Marikana Informal Settlement after he attempted to escape from his attackers, but unfortunately, he did not survive his injuries at the hospital,” Smith stated.

The City has urged residents to provide any information that could assist in capturing the second suspect.

“The Safety and Security Directorate will work diligently to ensure that those responsible for this tragic murder are brought to justice. Our condolences go out to the grieving family.”

Anyone with information regarding the incident can contact Crime Stop anonymously at 0860010111 or utilize the MySAPS app. 

Recently, the City also reported that their waste collection vehicles were being hijacked.

This includes an incident where Bingo, the anti-litter mascot, and his driver were taken hostage.

The Urban Waste Management Directorate revealed that there were 57 reports of hijacked vehicles from June of last year to July of this year.