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The City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security Directorate held a memorial service for two Learner Law Enforcement Officers (LLEO) who were shot and killed in the last few weeks. Read more below:

LLEO Zamikhaya Kwinana died while on patrol in Nyanga at the start of the violent taxi strike, while LLEO Toufeek Williams was caught in gang crossfire while off duty.

Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, said officers Kwinana and Williams, both of the Law Enforcement Advancement Programme, were taken from their families and from their communities far too soon. 

‘These were young men in the prime of their lives – both in their thirties, both with young families and both with bright careers in law enforcement ahead of them.

‘One was taken in the senseless violence of a taxi strike that served no purpose, and the other taken in the senseless crossfire of a gang warfare that has terrorised communities in our city for decades.

‘The preservation of the rule of law is the most fundamental principle in a democracy, and we have to ensure that we get it right in South Africa if we are to turn our country around and steer it towards a better future. It is our mission here in Cape Town to show that this can be done: that lawlessness, anarchy and the collapse of values don’t have to be South Africa’s destiny.

‘We are all deeply saddened by the deaths of these officers, but I also know that their sacrifice will strengthen our resolve in the fight against chaos and lawlessness. We will not fail them and we will not forget them,’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis.

‘Just more than two months ago we held our Remembrance Day Service in honour of staff members who had lost their lives in the line of duty and to the pandemic. It is with a tremendous sense of loss that we are here so soon to once again not only mourn the passing of the two officers, but to applaud their impact on our city,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

LLEO Williams, attached to the Hanover Park unit, was fatally shot on 30 July in Beacon Valley, Mitchells Plain. 

He was off duty at the time of the incident and was walking in Hengelaar street while carrying a young child. 

It is believed the officer was caught in gang crossfire when he sustained a head wound, and later passed away in hospital.

LLEO Kwinana, a 33-year-old father of four, was shot while on patrol with colleagues in a marked Law Enforcement vehicle, on Friday, 4 August.  

‘Both officers were dedicated family men who lived to make their communities safer for their own children and those around them. We honour their lives, their loss is felt not only in their homes and neighbourhood, but also in this directorate. 

‘We grieve with their loved ones and while it is cold comfort, we will continue to seek out those who perpetrated these cowardly acts. These officers answered the call to serve and protect and for that we salute them,’ said Alderman Smith.

Two suspects were involved in the shooting of LLEO Williams and the City confirmed that one of them has been arrested, while the second is still at large.

‘Any person who witnessed the incidents or has information is urged to please report it to the City’s 24-hour tip-off line on 0800 110077,’ added Alderman Smith.

Issued by The City of Cape Town