Four suspects arrested for murder of off-duty LEAP officer

Four suspects have been arrested for the hijacking and murder of LEAP officer, Yonke Pakade, who was viciously attacked over the weekend. The 26-year-old was off duty when he was hijacked by a group of suspects. The attackers stabbed him multiple times, but also stoned him.

LEAP officers responded to the scene in Sheffield Road on Sunday where the officer's vehicle was found abandoned.

PICTURED - CoCT: Officer Yonke Pakade

In a statement, MMC for Safety & Security, JP Smith, said his colleagues found him in the Marikana Informal Settlement, as he had tried to flee his attackers, but he succumbed to his injuries in hospital. LEAP officers initially arrested one male suspect.

‘’Following the first arrest the Safety and Security Information Systems Management (SSIMS) unit along with the SAPS Organised Crime Unit, LEAP and the Khayelitsha Tactical Response Unit embarked on a manhunt for the remaining suspects. The team received a tip-off which led them to the Covid Informal Settlement where they arrested two suspects. The team worked tirelessly and arrested another suspect in Philippi East and recovered a knife believed to be the murder weapon. The four suspects are set to appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on charges of murder and hijacking,’’ said Smith.

‘’I have spoken to the Pakade family who are grieving the loss of a young man who dedicated his life to fighting crime and improving the lives of his fellow Capetonians. Social media posts which circulated several months ago saw him being lauded for assisting victims of a robbery,’’ he added.

Smith called on the courts to oppose the release of these suspects on bail as the investigation continues.

‘’If we cannot protect our officers, they cannot protect the public,’’ said Smith.

Western Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General (Adv) Thembisile Patekile, has condemned the senseless killing of the officer and commended the swift action by law enforcement members that led to the arrest.

‘’At approximately 03:45, the body of the 26-year-old male was found with stab wounds to his chest. Preliminary information indicates that the deceased and his 30-year-old female colleague were allegedly hijacked in Browns Farm earlier in the evening. The female officer managed to escape the ordeal unharmed and alerted authorities. The arrested suspect will appear in court once he has been charged. The motive for the attack is the subject of an ongoing investigation,’’ said Colonel Andrè Traut, Western Cape police spokesperson.

The Western Cape Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC, Anroux Marais, condemned the murder.

“I am angered by this senseless act of violence that has claimed the life of a young officer who served our communities with dedication. The loss of any law enforcement officer is not only a personal tragedy but also a significant setback in our ongoing fight against crime. My heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of officer Yonke Pakade.’’

“I thank all law enforcement officers for their collaborative efforts in arresting the suspects. I call on the SAPS to ensure that no effort is spared in bringing the perpetrators to justice,’’ added Marais.

 

Done By: Mitchum George