Constable Thabo Sigcu, who was shot and killed by a City law enforcement officer in a case of mistaken identity on Thursday January 7, will be laid to rest on Saturday January 25 in the Eastern Cape.
A memorial service was held at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Green Point on Thursday January 16 for the police officer, who was stationed at Cape Town Central police station, and was an avid soccer player.
The service was attended by friends, family, colleagues and police minister Bheki Cele.
It was reported that Mr Cele was upset that the City had not yet handed over footage and gave a statement to the Hawks, who had taken over the investigation of the case.
He said he had called the head of the Hawks to liaise with the National Prosecuting Authority to resolve the matter faster.
Constable Sigcu was apparently apprehending a robbery suspect, while undercover and in civilian clothes, in Heerengracht Street, at about 9pm on Tuesday January 7, when two City Law Enforcement officers intervened.
One of the Law Enforcement officers mistook Constable Sigcu for a criminal and shot him twice before he could identify himself.
The Hawks did not respond to questions from the CapeTowner at the time of print, and no arrests have been made yet.
Meanwhile, Cape Town Central spokesperson Captain Ezra October said the suspect, who was also shot during the incident, was wounded in his cheek and in the arm, and was still in hospital.
“We hope that some clarity is reached for the sake of the family, because they need answers.”
He added that Mr Cele was visibly upset at the progress of the case at the memorial.
In response to Mr Cele’s statements, the City said that at the outset, it undertook to cooperate with the Hawks in the investigation and would continue to do so.
In a statement, the Mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith, said the City’s representatives as well as the attorneys acting for the law enforcement officer implicated in the shooting incident have been in constant contact with the Hawks.
“Information has been provided to the Hawks by the City and further information and evidential material will be made available by the City to the Hawks for investigation.”
He said the City had no CCTV footage of the actual incident, but only what transpired after. “We have had no formal request from the investigating officer to view the footage, but will supply it for the sake of full transparency.”
Mr Smith said it was regrettable that the statements were made at the memorial service of the officer who died, particularly considering the sensitivity of this tragic incident. He said the law enforcement officer had been removed from operational duties and there has been no suspension effected.
Constable Sigcu worked at Cape Town Central for five years, first as a shift member and then in the Crime Prevention Unit. He had captained the SAPS soccer team and had been a Cape Town City FC fan.
He was hailed an “unsung hero in blue” by representatives of Cape Town Central community organisations who had worked with him, saying that he was always professional and ready to help the community with a smile. (“Slain cop hailed ‘unsung hero’”, Atlantic Sun, January 16).
