ONE of the five people who were shot and killed in Gugulethu has been identified as Warrant Officer Lindela Mraqisa, a protector of deputy minister of police Cassel Mathale.
Mraqisa, together with four others including one woman, were ambushed and killed in NY5, Gugulethu in Cape Town on Saturday, 30 September.
Police spokeswoman Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said Mraqisa has been attached to the Western Cape’s protection and security service division and served as a close protector to deputy minister Mathale since 2019.
Mathale is expected to visit the family of the cop on Monday, 2 October, with Minister of Police Bheki Cele and National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola.
According to police spokesman Colonel Andre Traut, Mraqisa and his friends were sitting in two cars when they were ambushed.
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He said the killers were dropped off by another car a short distance away from where the cop and friends had parked their cars. The suspects walked on foot and fired shots, killing the cop and his friends before they ran back to their getaway car.
Mathale described Mraqisa as a dedicated cop who was committed to his work. He sent his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of his close protector.
"Mraqisa was a soft spoken, dedicated and focused police officer, who was always punctual and professional in his conduct. We hope police will find and bring to book those responsible for his death. My condolences go to his family,” said Mathale.
Meanwhile, a 29-year-old cop attached to Samora Machel SAPS was raped and murdered in Mfuleni on Sunday night, 1 October. A 30-year-old suspect was arrested in connection with the murder.
Mathale said cops are being targeted at an alarming rate.
“The number of police officers killed on and off duty remains a concern for the leadership of the SAPS. We need the whole of society and government to fight this scourge," he said.
