Police in the Western Cape are investigating the murder of an off duty police officer near her Deft home.
According to an eyewitness reports, Constable Shamielah Arendse was standing outside her residence in Gilo Road, Leiden in Delft when shots rang out.
The 26-year-old officer was stationed at the Table Bay Harbour police station.
On Facebook messages of condolences poured in from as far as Ladismith, with friends expressing heartfelt messages.
Charlene De Klerk, wrote: “Never ever did I expect this call on our first rest day.
“You were more than just a colleague Shamielah Arendse ...We shared everything....I'm glad that we could still shared our coffee (Monday night).
“You were my friend, my daughter, my confidante my everything. I really hope those who shot you never ever get any peace.”
Just hours before the shooting, Arendse uploaded a picture of her father and captioned it “I miss you so much”
MEC for Community Safety and Policing Oversight, Reagen Allen, took to social media to call for arrests on those responsible for the officer’s murder.
“Female SAPS officer gunned down in Delft. This is horrible news.”
“Whenever an officer is killed, it’s a direct attack on our democracy by criminals. It can never be tolerated. I wish to send my sincere condolences to the family, friends and SAPS for the loss of a dedicated officer.”
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Novela Potelwa, said details around the shooting were under investigation.
“Eye witness accounts from the crime scene indicate that the police constable attached to Table Bay Harbour police station was standing in front of her residence with three other persons when unknown gunmen emerged and fired several shots in Gilo Road, Leiden in Delft.
“Delft police have opened a murder docket for investigation.
‘Detectives from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) have taken over the investigation. No arrests have been effected yet for the tragic incident.”