Statement by Minister Dan Plato - R100 000 reward still available to help put cop killers behind bars
I condemn in the strongest possible terms the brazen attacks which has seen two off-duty police officers lose their lives, in separate attacks in Delft and Site B Khayelitsha respectively.
My sincerest condolences go out to the family of constables Lonwabo Kili and Siyamcela Ncipa, their friends and colleagues for their loss.
Attacks on the police in the province cannot be tolerated. The murder of police officers for seemingly no other reason than to obtain their firearms are disgusting acts of criminality and has no place in our society.
It is for this reason that I remind the law abiding residents in our communities that the Department of Community Safety’s R100 000 reward still stands for anyone with information that will result in the arrest and successful conviction of cop killers in the Western Cape.
I trust that the full police investigation will uncover those responsible for the planning and execution of these murders and that all involved will face their day in court.
The Western Cape Government condemns cop killings. While we have no operational control over SAPS, our government is committed to supporting the hard working officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect others.
This reward should be a strong warning to anyone wishing to harm the brave men and women who serve our communities – there are now an extra 100 000 reasons why you will not get away with it.
Though no reward will bring back the fallen officers to their loved ones, I sincerely hope that anyone with credible information on the incidents will do the right thing and assist the police and law enforcement authorities.
It is important to remember that police killings, however unrelated, remain the vicious acts of individuals who do not represent the sentiment of the broader community.
Only a select few in our society are responsible for these crimes. Those responsible for the crimes are, however, someone’s child, someone’s sibling or someone’s neighbour – these are the people that need to break their silence and assist the police.
Media enquiries:
Ewald Botha
Cell: 079 694 1113
