Grassy Park police authorities have arrested a man in connection with the death of Toufeeq Williams, an officer with the Cape Town Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP). Williams, aged 37, was off-duty when he was fatally struck by a stray bullet in Beacon Valley, Mitchells Plain, on Sunday afternoon.
The incident occurred while he was walking with his two-year-old daughter near the intersection of Trampoline and Cadillac Streets. Williams was laid to rest on Tuesday, in accordance with Muslim customs.
Also read: LEAP officer fatally shot while carrying a baby in Mitchells Plain
Police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut released a statement announcing that a 40-year-old individual suspected to be a member of a local gang was arrested by Grassy Park police on Thursday morning. Once formally charged, the suspect is expected to appear in court in Mitchells Plain on a murder charge.
Authorities suspect that the arrested individual found refuge among fellow gang members within the Grassy Park policing area. Acting on this information, Grassy Park police intensified patrols in an effort to locate and apprehend the suspect.
‘This information was relayed to Grassy Park police, who heeded the call of duty and conducted high-density patrols in a bid to bring the suspect to book,’ Colonel Traut said.
Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, the Western Cape police commissioner, commended the diligence of the apprehending officers.
According to News24, Alderman JP Smith, the City’s mayoral committee member for safety and security, expressed satisfaction with the arrest. He emphasised the importance of allowing the South African Police Service (SAPS) to conduct a thorough investigation to build a strong case against those accountable for Officer Williams’ untimely demise.
‘This is still very early on in the investigation process, and we will make our investigative resources available to SAPS when they ask for assistance. We must allow them to complete their investigation process so they can build a solid case against those who are responsible for the untimely death of Officer Williams,’ he said.
Smith underlined the vital role that law enforcement and policing structures play in maintaining societal order and stressed the need to protect and support these institutions.
Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC, Reagen Allen, also welcomed the arrest. Allen encouraged witnesses to collaborate with law enforcement agencies, including SAPS, to ensure the presentation of a comprehensive case in court. Allen’s call extended to pursuing the arrest of the individual responsible for ordering the shooting, invoking the Prevention of Organised Crime Act to address such criminal behaviour. Allen decried the detrimental impact of gangs on society, highlighting their contribution to heartache and suffering.
‘I want the gang member who gave the order for the shooting to occur to also be arrested. The Prevention of Organised Crime Act should be duly applied. Gangs add no value to our society. Instead, they bring heartache and misery,’ he said.
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