Man hands himself over after officer gunned down
A 23-YEAR-OLD suspect in the killing of a police officer is expected to appear at the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court today.
This after accompanied by his attorney, he handed himself over at the Delft police station.
Constable Khangelani Magqabini, 40, stationed at Mowbray police station, was off-duty on Friday when he was shot and killed, apparently after he was involved in an argument with a motorist who allegedly had been driving recklessly.
According to reports, Magqabini had been driving with a relative in his car in Delft South when he became involved in the altercation. He apparently drove to his home to fetch his firearm and left his relative in the car.
He did not realise that the driver of the other vehicle had followed him, and when he returned to his car, the other driver allegedly opened fire before fleeing.
Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani said Magqabini sustained gunshot wounds to the body and was later declared dead at hospital.
Acting provincial Hawks head Lloyd Ramovha condemned the latest killing of a police officer. He said the SAPS had been “robbed of yet another foot soldier in such a tragic manner”.
Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union spokesperson Richard Mamabolo said police killings were of serious concern and could no longer be overlooked, and communities were required “to fully participate in jointly ensuring the safety of residential areas”. Magqabini’s murder came three weeks after two officers, Mnakwazi Mdoko and Mninawa Breakfast, were ambushed, and shot and killed while patrolling in Bloekombos near Kraaifontein.
SA Police and Allied Workers Union president Bonga Makuliwe said the justice system was not doing enough to ensure that those found guilty of killing police officers, whether on duty or off duty, received harsh punishment.
He said police management should place more pressure on the Department of Justice to ensure that those found guilty were sentenced properly. "We will always condemn the killing of police officers with our lips but nothing is being done by the government. They are doing nothing to stop the ritual of police killings. The law is very lenient on this scourge," said Makuliwe.
He said Delft was regarded as a high crime area, along with Nyanga and Khayelitsha. "Why are units like the tactical response team and national intervention unit and task force not utilised to do operations in those areas?" asked Makuliwe.