Police detective killed outside home for gun

Michael Nkalane and Botho Molosankwe

THE lives of Nomfusi Sikade and her three young children changed tragically yesterday morning when their police officer husband and father was shot in cold blood.

Grassy Park detective Lindekile Sikade, 39, was shot and killed in his unmarked police car in front of his house in Lower Crossroads. The only thing taken was his police-issue 9mm gun.

Hours later a Johannesburg metro police officer, Simon Sigasa, was shot in the head. He is in a critical condition and fighting for his life.

Sikade is among more than 80 officers killed since last year.

It was still dark yesterday when Lindekile Sikade walked out of his house just after 6am. Nomfusi Sikade was sleeping when she heard gunshots.

Knowing her husband had left seconds before, she rushed out.

Her husband was slumped over the steering wheel, bleeding from the ribs – and he was dead.

Whoever killed him had only taken his gun – his wallet was still on him. Yesterday she cried, saying one-month-old Khayone would never know her father. Liviwe, 10, and Yongama, four,

appeared to be confused, trying to comprehend what had happened.

Nomfusi Sikade said although the neighbours said six shots had been fired, she believes it was more than 10.

Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said: “At about 6.15am, a 39-year-old police constable stationed at the Grassy Park Detective Branch was shot and killed in front of his residence in Hlosi Street, Lower Crossroads, by unknown suspects.”

His brother, Mnoneleli Sikade, said they suspected he was killed for his gun. “We found him with his cellphone and a wallet. It’s only his 9mm pistol that was stolen.”

He said his brother had just started his car when he was ambushed.

“When I arrived, police cars were already here. I could not believe it when his colleague told me he was dead. My brother was such a good person who never argued with anyone,” he said.

In Johannesburg, a woman was close to tears yesterday as she recalled seeing a gunman firing several shots at a metro police vehicle and hitting Sigasa in the head.

The woman said her heart sank as she saw the 36-year-old metro police officer slump forward in his seat, and the gunman and his accomplices disappear among the houses in Vlakfontein.

The officers had been chasing the gunmen, who had fled after being found in possession of a firearm when they were stopped on the Golden Highway in a routine speed enforcement operation.

Metro police spokesperson Edna Mamonyane said Sigasa had to be airlifted to hospital.

Three of the gunmen were later found hiding in a shack.

Mamonyane said: “Residents told police where they were. They were arrested. Two others are at large.”

Western Cape police commissioner Khombinkosi Jula said the perpetrators would be sought with all the resources at the police’s disposal. “An attack on any member of SAPS is an attack on the entire service,” Jula said.

He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family.

Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) provincial chairperson Francisco Fields said the police were always killed for their guns. “They are targeted for their guns, which are later used by criminals to perpetrate crimes,” he said.

Police killings contributed to the lack of trust from society. He urged police to be strong and vigilant to counter-attacks. “They must always be wary of criminals and shoot if needs be.”

Popcru also sent condolences to the family.

Anyone with information is requested to contact Warrant Officer Alfred Baker of the Hawks on 071 351 7464 or call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.