Photo: Pixabay
Photo: Pixabay
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) have been called upon to handle a bizarre case reported in Franschhoek over the weekend. It’s understood David Hoffman, an officer who served as part of Cape Town’s anti-gang unit (AGU), was shot in the head by a colleague on Saturday night.
Freak accident in Franschhoek probed, as cop kills colleague
However, initially reported as a murder, it would seem the narrative has changed in the past 24 hours. The officer in question and his legal team have argued that the shooting was totally accidental. As IOL report, it’s understood that the suspect’s safety mechanism failed while he was pulling the trigger, believing the gun to be dormant.
The cop, who has reportedly been instrumental in securing convictions against Henri van Breda and Jason Rohde, will still face a myriad of questions on why exactly he had his service pistol with him at a social gathering. What exactly he was trying to achieve also remains a mystery.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate is probing the death of a 40-year-old member of the anti-gang unit in the Western Cape. Sergeant David Hoffman was shot dead at Franschhoek last night. #sabcnews
— Radio 2000 (@Radio2000ZA) August 18, 2019
Local authorities react to “braai killing”
Provincial police spokesperson Novela Potelwa issued a statement on Sunday, giving an update to the situation. She was able to confirm to the media that the suspect served in the same unit as Hoffman, and an investigation is already well underway.
“A 40-year-old off-duty AGU member was shot and killed on Saturday night in Franschhoek in an accident that is the subject of an Ipid investigation. When the shooting occurred, which claimed the life of Sergeant Hoffman, his colleague was with him. The suspect, also an AGU member, has since been detained and an Ipid investigation is under way.”
Novela Potelwa
Tragic Franschhoek braai incident condemned by local government
The case has since drawn ire from local structures of government, including Albert Fritz. The regional safety minister has issued his condemnation of the incident and, regardless of the bizarre circumstances, he expressed relief that the police had acted quickly to detain the suspect:
Western Cape Community Safety Minister, Albert Fritz, has condemned the murder of an off duty anti-gang unit police member in Franschhoek in the Boland. Police say Sergeant David Hoffman, was allegedly shot by a colleague who's since been detained. #sabcnews
— SAfm news (@SAfmnews) August 18, 2019
