While two more suspects are scheduled to appear in court for the murder of Constable Callan Andrews, religious and community leaders from Gelvandale will host a memorial service a stone’s throw away from where he was killed.
The two suspects, both 27, were arrested by members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations, the Hawks, on Monday and are expected to make their first court appearance on Wednesday.
Their 17-year-old co-accused made another appearance in court at the Nerina House Youth Justice Centre in Schauderville on Tuesday and will remain in custody until his next court appearance on February 24.
Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said the additional arrests were the result of a joint effort by their Serious Organised Crime Investigations Unit, the Tactical Response Team (TRT) and the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC).
“Intensive investigation by the Hawks led to the arrest of the suspects in Gqeberha and they are expected to make their first court appearance before the Gelvandale Magistrate’s Court on January 8,” Mhlakuvana said.
“However, further details will not be divulged at the moment as the matter is still under investigation.”
The suspects were arrested in connection with the December 31 shooting in Voisin Road, Helenvale, that claimed the life of the 30-year-old constable.
Andrews and his partner were transporting complainants to the Gelvandale police station to make official statements when, at about 5.30pm, the police vehicle in which they were travelling broke down.
Community members were helping the officers to push-start their vehicle when Andrews’ partner heard a gunshot.
Andrews suffered a bullet wound to the head and died en route to the hospital.
His service pistol was missing from the scene.
The incident sparked an outcry from the residents about public safety and the reign of terror by gangsters in the northern areas.
Many people have also criticised the police for the condition of the vehicle in which Andrews was travelling, asking how his superiors could have expected him to patrol such a dangerous area with a car not suitable for the job.
The Gelvandale Community Policing Forum (CPF), in collaboration with the area’s Spiritual Social Crime Prevention members, as well as other stakeholders from the Helenvale community, will be hosting a memorial service for Andrews in Kobus Road on Wednesday.
“There will be quite a few speakers including youngsters who will bring the Word of God and a few other aspects to the memorial,” CPF chair Audrey Campher said.
This follows a march by Andrews’ family and hundreds of community members to the scene of his death to commemorate him and raise awareness about gang violence.
The family is still planning his funeral, which is scheduled to be held at the Ebenezer Church in Algoa Park on Saturday morning.
HeraldLIVE
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