Police officer killed in Gugulethu mass shooting described as humble, dedicated

Deputy Minister of Police, Mr Cassel Mathale’s close protector, Warrant Officer Lindela Mraqisa is among the five that were killed in a mass shooting in Gugulethu. 

Five people were shot and killed on Saturday evening in Gugulethu, Western Cape. 

POLICE OFFICER AMONG FIVE KILLED IN GUGULETHU 

As previously reported by The South African, South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in Western Cape Colonel Andrè Traut said reports indicate that two vehicles were parked on the side of the road in NY 5 in Gugulethu at approximately 23:00 when a number of suspects were dropped a few metres from the two vehicles by another vehicle. 

Traut said the suspects approached the two vehicles and started firing numerous shots at the two parked vehicles. After shooting, the suspects fled in the vehicle that had earlier dropped them.  

ALSO READ: Refuse collection suspended in Nyanga following extortion attempts

DEPUTY MINISTER SADDENED BY HIS PROTECTOR’S PASSING 

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the deceased police officer was attached to the Western Cape’s Protection and Security Service (PSS) Division and served as a close protector to Deputy Minister Mathale since 2019. 

Mathe said police have since mobilised maximum resources to trace and apprehend those behind the attack and killing of the four men and a woman. 

ALSO READ: POPCRU angered by unabated murder of police officers in SA

Deputy Minister Mathale has described the late member as dedicated, humble and hardworking. 

Mathe said the number of police officers killed on and off duty remains a concern for the leadership of the SAPS. 

“We need the whole of society and government to fight this scourge. Mraqisa was a soft spoken, dedicated and focused police officer who was always punctual and professional in his conduct. We hope police will find and bring to book those responsible for his death. My condolences go to his family,” he said. 

ALSO READ: Police officer and family ambushed and shot dead in Port Edward

Police Minister General Bheki Cele and the National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola are expected to lead a delegation of senior police officers to Cape Town on Monday, 2 October 2023. 

The SAPS top brass is expected to interact with the investigating team and also visit the bereaved family. They will thereafter proceed to the family of another off-duty member who was found killed in Mfuleni on Sunday morning. 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY NOKWANDA NCWANE