Police arrested a man in hospital in connection with the murder of a police constable in Strand on Christmas day.
According to Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani, the officer shot at his murderers and injured one of them. She said four men between the ages of 21-37 were arrested.
The incident happened in Asanda Village at approximately 06:30 on 25 December 2022.
The suspects are Nelson Motumi(27),Bongisizwe Dyongo (26)and Athenkosi Matutu(21).
They appeared in Strand Magistrate Court on Wednesday the 28 December 2022 for first appearance.
Police officer stabbed and shot dead on Christmas day
The other one is still in hospital and could not attend the court case. They are expected to appear again in court on 10 January 2023.
The fourth suspect was later arrested appeared seperately on Friday, 30 December at Strand Magistrate Court.
Hani said when the suspects attacked the officer, he shot at them. One of the suspects was injured.
The injured suspect was taken to Hottentots hospital and later transferred to Tygerberg hospital for further medical examination.
“The injured person was then taken to Hottentots hospital and later transferred to Tygerberg hospital further medical examination.
“During the interview, the investigating team arrested the injured person as the information showed that he was one of the attackers and he has since been arrested.
“Matumi was remanded in absentia as he is under police guard in hospital,” said Hani.
Police interviewed the suspect and arrested him. They managed to track some of the suspects and recovered the firearm stolen from the murdered officer.
The constable who was attached at Lingelethu West SAPS sustained several stab and gunshots wounds and succumbed at the crime scene.
“After preliminary investigation, it was established that the member was robbed of his service pistol and a cellphone,” said Hani.
She added that their investigation shows that before being robbed, the officer fired several shots towards his attackers and injured one in the process.