Minister of Police Bheki Cele has ordered police, the City of Cape Town and the Hawks "to make short work" of their murder investigation of SAPS Constable Thando Sigcu, who was shot and killed by a Law Enforcement officer.
Cele made the statement at a memorial service for Sigcu, 38, which was held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Green Point on Thursday.
The church was packed with top cops, Sigcu’s wife and children, colleagues and members of The Cape Town City Football Club, of which he had been an ambassador.
FALLEN: Thando Sigcu.
The tragedy unfolded on Tuesday, January 7, in Heerengracht Street in the Cape Town CBD while Sigcu, who was working undercover, was arresting a suspected drug dealer.
Sigcu was confronted by two Law Enforcement officers and identified himself as a police officer.
It's unclear what transpired next, but shots were fired and both Sigcu and the suspect were shot. The cop died, while the suspect survived.
This week, Hawks spokesperson, Katlego Mogale, said investigations were still underway and would not confirm whether the Law Enforcement officer had been arrested yet.
KILLED: Constable Sigcu shot by Law Enforcement officer.
Cele said yesterday the City should provide CCTV footage of the incident: “The story of the footage must come to an end. The city is a city where there is the best video system.
“The SA police who are investigating this, they must not look at the face but at the incident.
“I immediately called the head of the Hawks in the country to say speak to the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority).
“The statements must be taken, this family needs to know what happened.
“I am told by evidence that this young man shouted, ‘I am a police officer’.
“Now I don’t know how you pull your trigger when somebody is not shooting at you and that person is telling you who they are.”
Police Minister of Police Bheki Cele. Video: Genevieve Serra
As Cele made his way to the stage, he began to sing and dance mournfully and several cops joined him.
When a video was played in memoriam of Sigcu, his wife and children burst into tears.
“A hero never dies, he just falls,” said Cele.