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It is with shock and sadness that I learned this morning that another of our police officers was shot and injured in Belhar. This officer is currently in hospital.

I condemn this heinous act in the strongest way. Any attack and the killing of our police officers will not be tolerated, and I have called on Western Cape Police Commissioner, General Arno Lamoer, to apprehend these cold blooded killers and ensure that they face the full might of the law.

While challenges exist in our police service, the individual police men and women who have chosen to serve their country and protect its inhabitants deserve our respect. They place their lives on the line every day of the year to serve and protect, to ensure the safety of our communities and it is these metro and police officers that strive to keep the peace.

Premier Helen Zille has already offered a reward for the apprehension of these police killers, and Mayor Patricia de Lille has also offered a reward for any information that could lead to the successful arrest of the metro police killers.

I congratulate General Lamoer and his officers for the swift action that has led to several arrests already made. The community’s strong reaction to this sad situation and pledge to catch the killers gives me hope that the criminals who are killing our police officers are only a few bad apples in a good society, and that the people of the Western Cape will not welcome these criminals in their community.

I send my deepest condolences to the families of Senior Superintendent, Mpumelelo Xakekile, a Metro Police officer, who was killed while carrying out his duties along the N2 in Khayelitsha, s, and to the families of Constable Phindiwe Nikani and Constable Mandisi Nduku, of Hout Bay SAPS.

I wish the officer who was shot in Belhar a full and speedy recovery.