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It is with great sadness that we have been informed that the 23-year-old succumbed to his head injury this weekend after being in critical condition in hospital, following the attack on Thursday night in Elsies River. 

The City and Western Cape Government are shocked to learn of the attack on an officer attached to the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP).

Alessandro Alveo Heynes (23) worked for the City of Cape Town as a Law Enforcement Officer within LEAP. He was off duty at the time of the incident and was in the process of transporting someone home after a friend’s matric ball, when he was robbed of his cellphone, and shot.

The officer sustained a head wound, and later passed away in hospital. The City’s Safety and Security Investigation Unit (SSIU) has been assisting the South African Police Service (SAPS) with the investigation into the incident that took place on Thursday 29 September 2022 in Elsies River.

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

Provincial Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen said: “I extend my deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family, loved ones and all those affected by the death of Officer Heynes, who at such a young age lost his life in this horrific manner. Please know that you are all in our prayers and thoughts. As the investigations into this incident continues, I’d like to urge anyone with information to contact all Law Enforcement agencies involved, so that the second suspect can also be arrested.” 

Minister Reagen Allen continued: “Whoever committed this atrocity does not deserve to freely walk in our streets. The second suspect should know that there is no hiding place, and we’ll ensure that no stone is left unturned so that they can end up behind bars. These criminals have signed their freedom away.”

‘Alessandro Heynes was a well-respected and dedicated professional in the City of Cape Town. He took his job seriously and fought to protect innocent people from harm. He is known as a humble, diligent and ambitious young man who was destined for a successful career in law enforcement. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and colleagues, who have been left reeling by this senseless attack. We as the City mourn the loss of Officer Heynes who was a valued member of our team. We call on anyone in the community who might have information about the attack to please step forward and assist the investigators, so that the person responsible can be caught and brought to justice,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

Any person who witnessed the incident or who might have information that could lead to an arrest and conviction, is urged to please report it to SAPS or the City’s 24-hour tip off-line on 0800 110077.

Issued by Western Cape Police Oversight and Community Safety