Justice sought for metro officer after fatal rooftop chase
Traffic officials and councillors gathered in solidarity outside the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court to oppose bail for the suspects facing charges related to the death of Metro Police officer Tyler Lamb last week. In front are, from left, Councillor Mzwakhe Nqavashe, Metro Police Chief Wayne le Roux, Councillor Bongani Maqungwana and Councillor Yusuh Mohamed.
Image: Supplied/City of Cape Town
The widow of Metro Police Constable Tyler Lamb is devastated after her husband was killed in the line of duty. Four suspects have since been arrested for the 30-year-old officer's death with three officially being charged, while two have since abandoned their bail.
Lamb fell from a roof while chasing suspects following a business robbery in Kensington on November 7.
JP Smith, Mayco Member for Safety and Security, confirmed the arrest of the suspects: “The City of Cape Town welcomes the arrest of four suspects for the murder of slain Metro Police Constable Tyler Lamb. If we cannot protect our officers, they cannot protect the public. Our thoughts are with his family. We will continue to support them in any way we can while we pursue justice for Tyler.”
The suspects were linked to a Toyota Yaris that refused to stop at a vehicle checkpoint on Voortrekker Road. After a chase, several men fled into a nearby building. Live ammunition was found in the abandoned vehicle.
Three of the suspects who were formally charged, made an appearance at the Cape Town Magistrates' Court on Monday.
Smith said the City welcomed the decision by the main suspect to abandon his bail.
"The suspect appeared along two others in the dock at the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday," Smith said.
Tyler Lamb, 30, was killed while serving Cape Town. His widow, Leveen Lamb remembers him as a devoted husband and father, promising to care for their child in his absence.
Image: Leveen Lamb/ Facebook
"It was later established that the group had allegedly been part of a robbery earlier in the day. The state has since charged one suspect for murder and the remaining suspects face charges related to the robbery in addition to the illegal possession of ammunition."
Smith explained that during court proceedings it was revealed that the main accused along with the second accused would not be applying for bail. However, the third accused will be applying for bail.
Safety and Security Portfolio Chairperson, Councillor Mzwakhe Nqavashe, attended the court proceedings alongside the Metro Police officers and said: “We are relieved that the first suspect has abandoned his bail application and we will return to court for the bail application of the third suspect. We will continue our support for the family in these difficult circumstances”.
The matter has been remanded to November 17.
His widow, Leveen Lamb took to social media, sharing her heartbreak and promised to care for their child, Leo. “I’ll remind Leo each and every day of his wonderful dad. I’ll take care of Leo for the both of us. I love you Tyler Lamb. I’ll carry you with me wherever we go. Rest now, my love. Rest. I’m broken without you. I love you so, so much.”
Tyler was part of the newly deployed Neighbourhood Safety Officers. He was responding to a shooting when tragedy struck. According to the Safety and Security Investigative Unit (SSIU), he tried to arrest a suspect on a rooftop during a scuffle. He fell and lost consciousness. EMTs and hospital staff tried to save him, but he did not survive.
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