STATEMENT BY ALDERMAN PATRICIA DE LILLE, EXECUTIVE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN ON THE KILLING OF SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT MPUMELELO HUBERT XAKEKILE

This evening at approximately 18h30 Senior Superintendent Mpumelelo Hubert Xakekile of the Metro Police Tactical Response Unit was shot by two unknown individuals while busy issuing a fine to the driver of a mini-bus taxi. The incident happened on Landsdowne Road, Khayelitsha. Two males ran from the bushes at the intersection of Lansdowne Road and Mew Way Road and fired live rounds at him. Senior Superintendent Xakekile died from his wounds on the scene. The South African Police Services, paramedics and City law enforcement agencies responded to the incident and the matter is being investigated. A statement has been taken from the driver of the mini-bus taxi.

On behalf of the residents of Cape Town and all of Senior Superintendent Xakekile's colleagues I want to express my heartfelt condolences to his family, who have tragically and unnecessarily lost a husband and father. I would also like to extend my condolences to his colleagues who have lost a co-worker. He was 50 years old at the time of his death and married with one child. He had been a committed member of the City's law enforcement agencies for 10 years.

I condemn this senseless act wholeheartedly and am shocked by the callous and cruel behaviour of the individuals involved. They targeted an individual who was effecting the critical role of ensuring that the law is obeyed in Cape Town.

I have requested the City Manager and Executive Director for Safety and Security to please make a R50 000 reward available for any information that may lead to the arrest of the individuals involved in this heinous crime.

Statement issued by Patricia de Lille, Executive Mayor of Cape Town, October 11 2012

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter