Slain off-duty policeman was always willing to help

THE family of Sergeant Faizel Adams, who was shot dead in a Parow driveway, said they were struggling to cope as they laid their loved one to rest yesterday.

Adams, an officer from Mitchells Plain stationed at Parliament, was buried according to Muslim rites, his sister, Fariedah Dinnie, said.

The Hawks confirmed they were investigating the case and that arrests were yet to be made.

Several police members had rushed to the scene of the crime in Victoria Road, Parow, on Tuesday afternoon, where a getaway car reportedly drove off with gunmen inside. A voice note of a family member, calling out for help, went viral – prompting Dinnie to rush to the scene.

The motive for the killing of the 41-year-old has yet to be established.

Meanwhile, while planning the Janazah yesterday, the family said they were struggling to cope.

“We are not okay. We are very busy with arrangements. We still have no clue as to what could have happened, or why this could have happened. He was off duty, and had just finished his shift when this happened,” said Dinnie.

She described Adams, a father of two, as a kind man.

“He was very kind and goodhearted, and always willing to help. He had a son aged 11 and a daughter aged six. This is a major loss to our family; we are going through a very difficult time,” Dinnie said.

In a separate incident, Sergeant Andile Sirhunu, stationed at Lentegeur Visible Policing, was shot and killed in Eersterivier last week, in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Sirhunu was reportedly hijacked. Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani said: “I can confirm the matter is being investigated by this office. Investigations are ongoing and no arrests have been made.”

Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo said they condemned these “targeted” murders.

“We are looking at finalising details of the meeting we called for with both the minister and commissioner in working out a plan to stop these killings. It has now become more urgent than ever.”