OWN CORRESPONDENT
The lives of Nomfusi Sikade and her three young children changed tragically on Monday morning when their police officer husband and father was shot in cold blood.
Grassy Park detective Constable Lindekile Sikade, 39, was shot and killed in his unmarked police car in front of his house in Lower Crossroads. The only thing taken was his police-issue 9mm gun.
It was still dark on Monday April 18, when Constable Sikade walked out of his house just after 6am. Ms Sikade was sleeping when she heard gunshots.
Knowing her husband had left seconds before, she rushed out. Her husband was slumped over the steering wheel, bleeding from the ribs – and he was dead.
Whoever killed him had only taken his gun – his wallet was still on him. Yesterday she cried, saying one-month-old Khayone would never know her father. Liviwe, 10, and Yongama, four, appeared to be confused, trying to comprehend what had happened.
Ms Sikade said although the neighbours said six shots had been fired, she believes it was more than 10.
Police spokesperson Constable Noloyiso Rwexana said: “At about 6.15am, a 39-year-old police constable stationed at the Grassy Park Detective Branch was shot and killed in front of his residence in Hlosi Street, Lower Crossroads, by unknown suspects.”
His brother, Mnoneleli Sikade, said they suspected he was killed for his gun.
“We found him with his cellphone and a wallet. It’s only his 9mm pistol that was stolen,” he said.
He said his brother had just started his car when he was ambushed.
“When I arrived, police cars were already here. I could not believe it when his colleague told me he was dead. My brother was such a good person who never argued with anyone,” he said.
Western Cape police commissioner Major-General Khombinkosi Jula said the perpetrators would be sought with all the resources at the police’s disposal. “An attack on any member of SAPS is an attack on the entire service,” Major-General Jula said.
He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family.
Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) provincial chairman Francisco Fields said the police were always killed for their guns.
“They are targeted for their guns, which are later used by criminals to perpetrate crimes,” he said.
Police killings contributed to the lack of trust from society. He urged police to be strong and vigilant. “They must always be wary of criminals and shoot if needs be.”
Anyone with information is requested to contact Warrant Officer Alfred Baker of the Hawks on 071 351 7464 or call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.