Swift arrests made in brutal hijacking and murder of officer Yonke Pakade

The City of Cape Town has welcomed the rapid arrest of four suspects involved in the horrific hijacking and murder of Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officer Yonke Pakade.

The 26-year-old officer was off duty when he was violently attacked by a group of assailants on Sheffield Road in Philippi over the weekend.

Reports indicate that Pakade was stabbed multiple times and stoned before he managed to escape towards the nearby Marikana Informal Settlement, where his colleagues discovered him in the early hours of Sunday morning.

He was rushed to hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

LEAP officers initially arrested one suspect at the scene. A coordinated manhunt, involving the City’s Safety and Security Information Systems Management (SSIMS) unit, the SAPS Organised Crime Unit, LEAP members and the Khayelitsha Tactical Response Unit, led to the arrests of three additional suspects.

“The team received a tip-off which led them to the Covid Informal Settlement where they arrested two suspects,” the City said.

“They later arrested another suspect in Philippi East and recovered a knife believed to be the murder weapon.”

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, said he had spoken to the grieving Pakade family, describing the slain officer as a young man dedicated to serving his community.

“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,” said Smith. “Social media posts which circulated several months ago saw him being lauded for assisting victims of a robbery.”

Smith commended the officers who worked tirelessly to bring the suspects to justice.

“We extend our thanks to every officer who assisted with the arrests and hope this brings the Pakade family some comfort during this difficult time,” he said.

“We also call 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.”

The four suspects are expected to appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on charges of murder and hijacking.

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Cape Argus