The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) has launched a manhunt following the fatal shooting of an off-duty police constable in Belhar, Cape Town, on Wednesday morning.
The deceased officer has been identified as 28-year-old Constable Tevia Smith, who was attached to the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Crime Prevention Unit in Belhar and also resided in the area.
Western Cape police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala confirmed that Smith was attacked by unknown gunmen at the intersection of Graduate and Degree streets.
“He was shot by unknown suspects,” Gwala said, adding that no arrests have been made so far.
While official spokespeople did not immediately release further details regarding the motive or circumstances of the attack, police sources indicated that Smith had allegedly been targeted during an attempted hijacking.
Belhar police initially registered a murder docket before handing the matter over to the Hawks for further investigation, as is standard protocol for the killing of law enforcement officers. Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani confirmed that the unit is actively investigating the murder.