Cape Town – A manhunt is underway for the gunman who fatally shot a security guard in the early hours of Friday morning in Bergvliet, Cape Town. The 54-year-old guard, employed by Pro-Sec Technologies, responded to a panic alarm triggered at a home on Princess Road.
According to police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi, "At around 04:30, the owner of the premises was woken by a noise in the house, upon which she activated the panic alarm, which necessitated the response of armed security."
The homeowner provided the guard with the house key. "When the armed security officer entered the house, a scuffle ensued, which resulted in gunshots being fired," Swartbooi explained.
The guard was tragically declared dead at the scene. The suspect fled, taking the guard's firearm with them. As of 10:30 am, police and forensic teams were still at the scene gathering evidence. Kirstenhof police are leading the investigation, and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
This incident follows another tragic killing of a police officer in the Eastern Cape. A 29-year-old officer was shot and killed while assisting a stranded motorist in Gqeberha on Tuesday afternoon. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa detailed the events.
"At around 17:30 on Tuesday, two police officers were conducting regular patrols in Gelvandale when they stopped to assist a motorist in Kobus Road, Helenvale. While they were attempting to start the vehicle, they were joined by three residents. The driver heard a shot being fired, and on inspection, he discovered that the constable had been shot in the head. He was taken to hospital where he later died," Mawisa stated.
The officer's firearm was also stolen. No arrests have been made, and the case has been handed over to the Hawks for investigation. The officer's name has not yet been released publicly.
Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, Provincial Police Commissioner, strongly condemned the killing and appealed to the public for assistance in apprehending the perpetrators. These two incidents highlight a concerning trend of violence against law enforcement officers in South Africa.
News24 previously reported a significant increase in police killings, with 111 officers murdered in the 2023/24 financial year – a more than 20% rise compared to the previous year. Of these, 11 murders occurred in the Eastern Cape alone.
The police's annual report indicates a 20.65% increase compared to the 92 officers killed in 2022/23. The 111 fatalities represent the highest number recorded in the past five years and include both on-duty and off-duty officers.
