An Eastern Cape policeman died at the hands of a crazed robbery suspect, only metres from where hundreds of members of the community were meeting to decry the high rate of crime in their township.
On-duty sergeant Siphiwo Mtsewu, 37, was stabbed to death by the knife-wielding man, who went on a stabbing spree in East London’s Cambridge Township on Friday.
The unknown attacker, who was taken to hospital after policemen pumped more than 10 gunshots in his lower body, had earlier killed a dog and stabbed and wounded two members of the public.
The slain sergeant was attached to the Cambridge police station’s social crime prevention unit, police spokesperson Captain Mluleki Mbi confirmed on the scene.
Cambridge township ANC councillor Rogers Relu said the community was under siege from youths high on drugs bought from young drug peddlers in the neighbourhood.
The knifeman is believed to have stabbed and wounded two people in the street when the sergeant responded and attempted to apprehend him.
Relu said the policeman was called out of a community engagement meeting attended by more than 300 community members at a nearby community hall at 1pm.
Relu said while the police were about to conclude the meeting, a man burst inside the hall to alert police officers of a stabbing spree outside the hall in the street.
The man who alerted the police, Luyanda Qukulu, 35, was at the crime scene where more than 20 police vans, a chopper and four ambulances were parked.
Speaking to the Dispatch at the scene, a visibly shaken Qukulu said he had just left the hall to relieve himself outside.
“I looked at the street and saw a man stabbing another guy after wrestling over the victim’s cellphone and wallet.
“A good Samaritan came from behind and tried to restrain the knifeman but was overpowered and stabbed in the neck. Both were lying down.”
Qukulu ran back in and alerted police, who immediately responded. Mtsewu intervened, but was fatally wounded. Police then shot at the suspect. His condition was not known at the time of writing on Friday evening.
Relu said: “What is also painful is that I was told that this man grabbed a dog while it was on a leash and beheaded it before stabbing it multiple times in the body. Absolutely barbaric, this person is an animal.”
Qukulu said young drug merchants were peddling drugs to the township’s two high schools, Unathi and Gcobani.
“In the forum, we pleaded with the police to patrol the schools and close the taverns early on weekends because that is where crime happens in this community.”
Relu said more than 10 gunshots were pumped into the suspect’s lower body by police members before he fell. The suspect was taken to Frere Hospital, where he is under police guard.
Eastern Cape police commissioner Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga said in a statement released by her spokesperson Brigadier Thembinkosi Kinana, that the suspect would be charged with murder.
The commissioner expressed sadness over Sergeant Mtsewu’s death: “Our hearts go out to his loved ones and close colleagues during this difficult time. SAPS will provide all the support possible to the bereaved family.
“Although every police official knows their duties ... It can never be right to stab a man or woman in blue or any other person.”..