CCN News
Cape Town:- In a tragic incident that has shocked Cape Town’s emergency services, a 33-year-old off-duty firefighter was fatally stabbed during a suspected robbery, near his home in Philippi East on Tuesday night.
The attack occurred at the corner of Letsitele and David Vanda streets in the Better Life area, where the firefighter and his 23-year-old relative were assaulted, sustaining severe stab wounds to their heads and upper bodies. Despite a rapid response from fire crews, the firefighter was declared dead at the scene, while his relative was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
The victim, whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, had served the City of Cape Town faithfully since joining as a seasonal firefighter in 2018 and being appointed as a learner firefighter in the Fire and Rescue Service in 2020.
City officials have arranged support for the grieving family through the Employee Assistance Programme, with counseling also made available to his colleagues amid an outpouring of grief.
“It is heartbreaking to lose one of our own, particularly given the circumstances.
On behalf of the City and the Fire and Rescue Service, I convey my deepest condolences to his family,” said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith. Smith urged the public to share any information, noting the City’s anonymous tip-off line at 0800 110 077.
SAPS spokesperson Ndakhe Gwala confirmed that a case of murder and attempted murder is under active investigation, though the exact motive remains unclear and no arrests have been made as of Thursday.. The City’s Safety and Security Investigations Unit (SSIU) is assisting the South African Police Service (SAPS) in pursuing leads to bring those responsible to justice.