Constable Khangelani Mangqabini of Mowbray police.
Mowbray police station is mourning the death of Constable Khangelani Mangqabini who died in a shooting incident in Delft South.
Provincial police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk said the Hawks would investigate the shooting of the 40-year-old police officer.
According to provincial Hawks spokeswoman Zinzi Hani, Constable Mangqabini was shot in Ravel Street, near his home, on Friday March 19, at about 3.30pm.
“He was off duty and was shot by a 23-year-old male during a dispute,” she said. “The officer sustained gunshots to the body and later was declared dead at the hospital.”
Ms Hani said the suspect’s attorney had handed him over to the Delft police on Sunday March 21 and he had appeared in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday March 23 on a charge of murder.
The acting provincial head of the Hawks, Brigadier Mushavhaduvha Ramovha, condemned the killing of the police officer.
“The South African Police Services has been robbed of yet another foot soldier in such a tragic manner,” he said.
Mowbray police station commander Lieutenant Colonel David Malong said the station was devastated Constable Mangqabini’s death.
“He was at Mowbray police station for 11 years and was a good worker, and his colleagues spoke highly of his work ethic,” he said.
Lieutenant Colonel Malong said Constable Mangqabini’s family did not wish to speak to the media.
Mowbray Community Policie Forum chairman Jonathan Hobday described Constable Mangqabini as a “dedicated and industrious member” of Mowbray police. “His loss will be sorely felt,” he said.
“It is vital,” he added, “that our police service is re-imagined and re-worked as an efficient and non-partisan defender of law and order, enjoying the confidence and care of all law-abiding communities.”