Gugulethu Mass Shooting: Police Deputy Minister Extends Condolences Following Officer's Death

The Deputy Minister of Police, Cassel Mathale, extended condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Warrant Officer Lindela Mraqisa who was among the five killed in Gugulethu's mass shooting.

According to the police department's statement, Mraqisa worked in the Western Cape's Protection and Security Service (PSS) Division and served as a close protector to Deputy Minister Mathale since 2019.

Four men and one woman were killed in NY5 Gugulethu at around 11:00 p.m on Saturday in the mass shooting.

"The number of police officers killed on and off duty remains a concern for the leadership of the SAPS," the deputy minister of police said, South African Police Service (SAPS) reported. "We need the whole of society and government to fight this scourge."

He continued, "Mraqisa was a soft-spoken, dedicated, and focused police officer who was always punctual and professional in his conduct. We hope the police will find and bring to book those responsible for his death. My condolences go to his family."

Minister of Police of South Africa, Bheki Cele, and the National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola will lead the senior police officers delegation to Cape Town on Monday to interact with the investigating team and meet the bereaved family.

Cele and Masemola will also meet another off-duty officer, a 29-year-old woman police, who was killed on Sunday in Mfuleni. She used to work at the Samora Machel Police Station. The reason for death is yet to be disclosed. However, one of the suspects in connection with her death has been arrested.

As far as the mass shooting is concerned, the SAPS department noted that the perpetrators behind the mass shooting will be arrested and requested the public to assist the department with information.

"A number of suspects were dropped a few meters from the two vehicles by another vehicle," Police Spokesperson Andre Traut said, SABC News reported. "The suspects approached the two vehicles and started firing numerous shots at the two parked vehicles."

He added, "After the shooting, the suspects fled in the vehicle that had earlier dropped them."

Traut further shared that no one has been arrested yet.

Previously, South African Police launched a manhunt in July after a mass shooting incident in the township of KwaNobuhle near the town of Kariega in the Eastern Cape province.