Cape Town – More details of the fatal shooting of 32-year-old police constable, Ayanda Moyikwa, have emerged during a visit to his home by the top brass of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Constable Moyikwa was shot and killed during a robbery in Mfuleni, a suburb of the Blue Downs area close to the sprawling township of Khayelitsha, in Cape Town.
Initially, reports said the police officer was on his way to work when he noticed a robbery and responded earlier on Sunday, (12 January 2025).
The police constable was fatally shot and robbed of his wallet and cellphone.
During her visit to the home of the deceased, Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile revealed that Constable Moyikwa was driving a private vehicle and was intending to pick up a colleague before heading to work when tragedy struck.
Lieutenant General Patekile said it appeared the constable witnessed a robbery taking place.
The police officer was then accosted by the robbers who shot him while he was seated inside his car.
The colleague who was waiting in the house to be picked up heard three gunshots and rushed outside, only to find Constable Moyikwa had been fatally shot.
Lieutenant General Patekile, who was accompanied by Acting National Commissioner of SAPS Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, said: “Maximum resources have been deployed and a manhunt has been launched to trace the killers of the on-duty police officer”.
Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili condemned the attacks and killing of the men and women in blue and called on communities to work with the police by reporting criminals and criminality in communities.
The acting national police commissioner warned that ongoing attacks and killings of police officers would not be tolerated.
Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili said perpetrators would be traced and brought to book.
This month, January 2025, SAPS has lost five police officers in the line of duty.
Lieutenant General Patekile urged members to “always be operationally ready” and ensure their protective gear and equipment were in good working condition.
