Statement by the City’s Executive Mayor, Patricia de Lille
City welcomes conviction of the accused in murder of Metro
Police Superintendent Xakekile
Yesterday, 3 December 2014, the Western Cape High Court convicted a man
accused of the murder of Metro Police Senior Superintendent, Mpumelelo
Hubert Xakekile, in October 2012.
The man convicted of the murder will be sentenced in February 2015.
Just over two years ago, we lost a respected and dedicated member of our
staff who sacrificed and lost his life in our mission to serve the public.
The City of Cape Town welcomes the conviction, as a staff member was
cruelly gunned down while fulfilling his duties to protect and serve his
community.
Senior Superintendent Xakekile (50) was gunned down in October 2012 while
issuing a fine to a taxi driver. The incident happened on Lansdowne Road,
Khayelitsha, where two males ran from the bushes at the intersection of
Lansdowne Road and Mew Way and fired numerous shots at him.
Soon after, a 19-year-old suspect, Sandisile Mcapayi, was arrested. He is 21
years old now.
While this conviction will never bring back the father, husband and colleague
who we lost, we are pleased that the man who killed him has been
convicted and has faced the criminal justice system for his senseless, callous
actions.
This is the second conviction this year, after a man was convicted and
sentenced to life in prison for the murder of City traffic officer, Wesley
Woodman, who was also shot while on duty in 2013.
These attacks left the City angered at the complete lack of respect for life
and for the lives of those who serve and protect the greater community.
I would like to thank the many people involved in this most recent case and I
am especially grateful and proud of the work by the City of Cape Town’s
Special Investigation Unit (SIU) who, jointly with the South African Police
Service, pursued and investigated this matter with unwavering dedication.
I would also like to extend my gratitude to the rest of the City’s Metro Police,
to the South African Police Service, and to the prosecutors who ensured that
justice was served.
At the time of the killing, I offered a R50 000 reward for any information that
would lead to the arrest and successful conviction of the murderer.
As this has been achieved through the cooperation of witnesses who came
forward with concrete information and evidence, I will now arrange for the
reward to be issued.
In order to protect the witnesses who assisted in this case, the City of Cape
Town will not be releasing their names.
Metro Police and other enforcement staff are expected to turn out in
numbers at the next court date on 9 February 2015 when sentencing will take
place, to show their support for Senior Superintendent Xakekile’s family and
appeal for the maximum sentencing.