Cape Town: Off-duty police officer ‘shot dead in his bakkie’

Tributes have poured in for Mzuvukile Mhlengi, after the veteran cop was gunned down outside his home in Philippi East. The officer, who diligently served the Cape Town Metro Police Department, was ambushed by his assailant while sat in his bakkie. Police are now desperately trying to track down the person behind this senseless act of violence.

City of Cape Town reacts to ‘brutal killing’ of police officer

JP Smith is the City’s MAYCO Safety and Security Spokesperson. He confirmed the details of the crime, revealing that the killer also stole another vehicle belonging to the law enforcement official, before making his getaway.

“Constable Mzuvukile Mhlengi, aged 49, was shot while sitting in his bakkie outside his home in Philippi East yesterday afternoon. It appears that the killer got away with the Police Constable’s other vehicle – a red Toyota Corolla. This senseless act is condemned in the strongest possible terms.” | City of Cape Town’s JP Smith

Mzuvukile Mhlengi killed in his own bakkie

The case also garnered national attention, with the DA sharing their condolences with Mhlengi’s family and friends. He was unarmed at the time of the killing, and his 19 years of service on the force was a ‘real source of pride’ for the 49-year-old.

“The Democratic Alliance (DA) is distraught by the senseless murder of Cape Town Metro Police Officer, Constable Mzuvukile Mhlengi. Constable Mhlengi was off duty and unarmed when he was shot outside his home in Phillipi yesterday. Mzuvukile had 19 years of service and was stationed at the Metro Police Control Room in Goodwood.”

“The DA berates this criminal act and we call on the South African Police Service to investigate the incident and bring these criminals to book. We would like to extend its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Mzuvukile.”

 DA Western Cape Acting Provincial Leader, Albert Fritz