Another cop killed in the line of duty
WHILE yet another police officer has been shot and killed in the line of duty, residents of a Cape Town suburb have started a crowdfunding campaign to raise money to buy bulletproof vests for their neighbourhood watch members.
Police said suspects in Lavender Hill had opened fire on two Steenberg Crime Prevention Unit members who were pursuing them, wounding Donovan Prince.
Prince then later succumbed to his injuries in hospital while his partner managed to escape unscathed.
Police spokesperson Andrè Traut appealed for anyone with information to contact police.
“The Western Cape police management wishes to express their sincere condolences to the family and colleagues of the member who died while protecting the community. We assure them that every endeavour will be made to apprehend the suspects so that they can be prosecuted with the full might of the law,” Traut said.
Community activist and Mitchells Plain CPF cluster chairperson Lucinda Evans said they condemned the killing.
“We are asking the police commissioner to immediately place the Western Cape SAPS under administration. There is a bloodbath on the Cape Flats where scores of people have been dying.
“We do not want any more imbizos and five- and 10-point plans. We want action and we want it done immediately. Gangsterism on the Cape Flats is terrorism,” said Evans
Meanwhile, the murder of Milnerton Neighbourhood Watch member Ignatius van Rooyen has prompted the Milnerton Ridge Neighbourhood Watch to crowd fund for bulletproof vests.
Campaign initiator Erika Bornman said: “We’ve been flooded with requests of people asking how they can help. We would like to raise the funds by July 31,” she said.
Jacqui Pember, co-ordinator of the Milnerton Ridge Neighbourhood Watch said a memorial service would be held for Van Rooyen tomorrow.
To donate to the cause, go to https:// www.backabuddy.co.za/ignis-vanrooyen. Anyone with information can anonymously contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or SMS Crime Line on 32211.