The murder of an off-duty police officer is a big loss for SAPS. So says the Provincial Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC, Anroux Marais. This follows the death of a police sergeant from Nyanga, who was shot dead in Khayelitsha on Sunday.

“This is a devastating loss, not only for this officer’s family and loved ones, but also for the SAPS and the broader law enforcement community,” says MEC Anroux Marais.

The murder of an off-duty police officer is a big loss

MEC Marais says, according to reports, Sgt Tusani was visiting a relative in Town Two when two armed suspects entered the residence at approximately 14:55 and opened fire on him. She says the suspects fled the scene in a vehicle. Subsequently, a murder case has been registered at Lingelethu West SAPS. At this stage, the circumstances surrounding the incident will be investigated.

MEC Marais said, “My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this senseless act of violence.”

Leave no stone unturned

The MEC has urged detectives to leave no stone unturned in establishing the motive for the murder. She says they’ll have to determine whether the killing could be linked to the officer’s duties as a member of the South African Police Service. Marais added that all efforts must be made to establish whether this attack was connected to the officer’s work. She says that if this is found to be the case, then it represents an attack on the rule of law itself and should be treated as an attack on the state.

She expressed her deepest condolences

At the same time, the MEC has strongly condemned the murder. She also expressed her deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased officer.