A police officer has been killed and her two colleagues wounded after they were ambushed by a gunman while inspecting a spaza shop trading after the curfew in Nyanga.
On Monday night, Constable Asanda Siyoko, 30, and her two colleagues were patrolling along Old Klipfontein Road and Moya Street in Old Crossroads when they noticed that a spaza shop, called “Nqwathi Cash Store”, was still open after 10.30pm.
According to Level 3 lockdown regulations, stores may only trade until 6pm.
As the three officers went inside the shop, a gunman came from behind and opened fire.
Constable Siyoko was shot in the neck and later died at Mitchells Plain District Hospital.
GONE: Constable Asanda Siyoko, 30, was shot dead while on duty in Nyanga
Police spokesperson Brigadier Vish Naidoo says three men have been arrested.
“(Monday) night members from Nyanga Police Station were on patrol when they observed a spaza shop that was still open.
“They went in to investigate in terms of the Disaster Management Regulations when a man emerged from behind them and started shooting at the members.
“The constable was seriously wounded and later passed on.
“Other police members fired shots at the fleeing suspect.
“He fell a short distance away from the scene where he was arrested and taken to a medical facility.
“The 22-year-old suspect remains in hospital under police guard.
“Investigations into this shooting last night continued and two other suspects aged 24 and 28 were subsequently arrested.
“The colleagues of the police constable described her as a brave and dedicated soul, with a positive outlook on life.”
THREE ARRESTED: Vish Naidoo
National Police Commissioner General Khela John Sitole condemned attacks on police, while the victim’s family and colleagues are receiving counselling.
A worker at the container shop said that the owner, who witnessed the shooting, was taken away by police: “We were not here and the owner is not here, he was taken by the police.”
Hajiera Swartz, a former educator of Constable Siyoko, says she will always remember her: “She was known as being one of my most disciplined learners in Lentegeur High School.
