The City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement agency and the Bonteheuwel community are mourning the loss of a local officer part of the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) unit. 

The City confirmed the identity of the officer as 20-year-old Lyle Thomas, who was off duty when he assisted police at the scene of an accident on Jakes Gerwel Drive in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The Western Cape SAPS said officers were attending to a separate hit-and-run accident on the road at around 04:20.  

“SAPS members were initially attending a culpable homicide at the mentioned address, that was seen as a “hit and run”. The police vehicle was parked on the side of the road with flashing blue lights when an off duty law enforcement officer stopped on the left side of the road with his VW Polo to assist the police members with the accident,” said SAPS spokesperson, Captain FC Van Wyk.  

SAPS spokesperson, Captain FC Van Wyk, further explained that another vehicle, a Toyota Fortuner,  came speeding down the road and drove into one of the police vehicles, causing it to overturn.  

“The law enforcement officer was standing with the SAPS members when the impact happened. The SAPS members managed to evade the approaching vehicle, but unfortunately the law enforcement officer was fatally injured [afterward] the Toyota Fortuner rammed into a nearby tree and came to a complete stop,” said Van Wyk. 

A culpable homicide investigation is now underway, with the 37-year-old driver of the speeding vehicle in custody at the Nyanga police station. Van Wyk said the suspect was also taken in for a blood alcohol test at the time of his arrest. 

The City’s Law Enforcement spokesperson, Wayne Dyason, said the department would do all it could to ensure justice is served. 

“We extend our condolences to the officer’s loved ones and his colleagues. This is an absolute tragic end to a young life. The officer was just 20 years old. The Safety and Security Directorate will work tirelessly to ensure that justice is served and that the suspect faces the full might of the law,” said Dyason. 

The Western Cape Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety also paid tribute to Thomas, describing his death as a devastating loss.  

“We are heartbroken by the death of Officer Lyle Thomas, a young man who embodied the very values of service, courage and commitment to community safety. It is unacceptable that an officer should lose his life because of alleged reckless and irresponsible driving. Drunken and negligent driving destroys families, shatters communities and robs us of young lives with so much potential,” said Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC Anroux Marais.  

Bonteheuwel ward councillor Angus McKenzie said the community was reeling from the loss.

“Lyle was young, driven, and deeply committed to his community. His unwavering dedication to Bonteheuwel, his tireless work within the Neighbourhood Watch, and his passion for law enforcement saw him grow into a role where he could serve on an even greater scale as part of the LEAP team. His journey was one of purpose, sacrifice, and courage… We will never forget Lyle Thomas… May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his family find strength in knowing that Lyle died as he lived in service to others,” said McKenzie.  

Meanwhile, regarding the initial culpable homicide case, Van Wyk said detectives are still investigating. 

“Samora Machel police registered two counts of culpable homicide following two separate accidents that occurred Sunday on Jakes Gerwel Drive, Samora Machel… The case for the first culpable homicide is still under investigation as the identity of both the deceased and the driver whom sped off, is still unknown.” 

Police have urged anyone with information related to the incident to come forward as investigations continue. 

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