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- A 42-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of a Cape Town police officer.
- The officer was shot while on duty in Grassy Park on Thursday.
- Police have also recovered a service pistol that was allegedly stolen from the officer.
Western Cape police have arrested a 42-year-old man who allegedly "shot and killed a Grassy Park constable in cold blood".
Anti-Gang Unit members arrested him "at his hideout" in Ravensmead late on Thursday night, according to police spokesperson, Colonel André Traut.
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The 26-year-old constable was shot in Blackbird Avenue, Grassy Park, at around 17:45 on Thursday while he and a colleague were responding to reports of an armed suspect in the area.
"During an altercation with the suspect, the member sustained a fatal gunshot wound to his chest, while his partner escaped the incident unharmed. The suspect fled the crime scene," Traut said.
"The 9mm pistol he stole during the altercation with the SAPS members was found in his possession and confiscated," Traut added.
READ | Community chases, apprehends suspect after off-duty cop is killed during home invasion
The Hawks are still investigating the circumstances of the incident.
The man is expected to appear in Wynberg Magistrate's Court on Monday.
Meanwhile, community members have started a petition to lobby against the man's release on bail.
#sapsWC [UPDATE] #AntiGangUnit members arrested a suspect (42) at Ravensmead late last night for the murder of a Constable from Grassy Park #SAPS. Firearm confiscated. He will appear in court Monday in Wynberg. #PoliceKillings NPhttps://t.co/e1BLWbsUxN pic.twitter.com/nP5zfwejhd
— SA Police Service ???? (@SAPoliceService) December 2, 2022
"We further request that the honourable court, should they find the suspect guilty of their crimes, that [he is] given the strictest sentence possible that the law will allow.
"A strong message must be sent out to criminals in South Africa that the judiciary and citizens of this country do not tolerate the murder of our SAPS and law enforcement officers," the petition stated.
The latest quarterly crime stats indicated that five officers were killed between July and September. Four of them were off duty at the time.
