The City of Cape Town says four suspects have been arrested in connection with the hijacking and murder of off-duty LEAP officer Yonke Pakade, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Pakade, 26, was found in the Marikana informal settlement after his vehicle was discovered abandoned in Sheffield Road. He had been stabbed multiple times and pelted with stones, and later died in hospital.
The first arrest followed an initial police response at the scene. A multidisciplinary operation involving the Safety and Security Information Systems Management unit, the SAPS Organised Crime Unit, LEAP and the Khayelitsha Tactical Response Unit pursued leads. A tip-off led officers to the Covid informal settlement where two suspects were detained, and a fourth suspect was later arrested in Philippi East. Police recovered a knife believed to be the murder weapon. (Smile 90.4FM)
Mayoral committee member for Safety and Security JP Smith welcomed the arrests and said he had spoken to Pakade’s grieving family.
‘If we cannot protect our officers, they cannot protect the public,’ JP Smith said, and he urged the courts to oppose bail while the investigation continues.
The four suspects are due to appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on charges of murder and hijacking. Authorities asked anyone with further information to contact Philippi East police or the City tip-off lines.
Colleagues and community members remembered Pakade as a young officer who went out of his way to help victims of crime. The City offered condolences to his family and affirmed its commitment to a full investigation.
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Picture: JP Smith / Facebook
