The Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, condemns in the strongest terms the shooting of a 42-year-old off-duty detective, Sergeant Thanduxolo Wiseman Stuma, in Delft South this morning. Minister Fritz calls on SAPS in the Western Cape to devise a safety plan for off-duty officers.
The deceased was a detective at the Elsies River Police Station. He was shot and killed whilst walking home. His cellphone was subsequently recovered by members of the Western Cape Flying Squad an hour after suspects fired several shots and robbed a business in the Bellville CBD this morning.
Minister Fritz said, “While I commend SAPS on the arrest of two suspects aged 26 and 32; I call on SAPS to devise a comprehensive safety plan to safeguard off-duty officers. During the Standing Committee on Community Safety yesterday, it was revealed that 8 officers were killed whilst off-duty in the 2018/19 financial year. In recent weeks we have seen too many police and law enforcement officers gunned down by criminals. Better initiatives need to be put in place to protect our officers. I am on record for saying that an attack on our police is an attack on the state.”
“I have been informed that police investigations are yet to determine if the firearms seized during this morning’s robbery are linked to the murder of Sgt. Stuma. SAPS have indicated that more arrests are imminent as the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s detectives continue to pursue leads,” said Minister Fritz.
Minister Fritz added, “I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased. I further call on anyone with any information to immediately come forward and report such to their local SAPS station. Alternatively, you can call SAPS on 08600 10111.”
Under the leadership of Minister Albert Fritz, the Department of Community Safety remains committed to using every tool at its disposal to safeguard the residents of this province.
