Gauteng Acting Police Commissioner Fred Kekana Survives Attempted Hijacking at Westonaria Home
Acting Gauteng provincial commissioner Major General Fred Kekana has survived a brazen hijacking attempt at his home in Westonaria, west of Johannesburg, on Monday morning.
Suspects Flee After Driver Opens Fire
According to information gathered at the scene, suspects driving a blue BMW targeted Major General Kekana as he arrived at his residence.
His driver reacted swiftly, opening fire on the would-be hijackers. The suspects abandoned a firearm in the yard before fleeing the area.
A call for urgent backup was immediately circulated to law enforcement, and a police helicopter was deployed to search for the suspects. No injuries were reported during the incident.
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Investigation Underway
Police spokespersons confirmed that an investigation is ongoing and that evidence has been collected from the scene.
Major General Kekana is currently acting as Gauteng’s provincial commissioner while Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni is on leave.
The attempted hijacking comes amid increasing concerns over attacks targeting senior police officials.
High-Ranking Officers Being Targeted – Ian Cameron
Reacting to the incident, Ian Cameron, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, told The Citizen that he believes there is a clear pattern of targeting senior officers.
“I think they are being targeted, there’s no doubt. I think the good cops, along with the relevant whistleblowers on the outside of people who provide support to them, whether from private institutions or civil society, there’s no doubt that they’re being targeted,” he said.
He pointed to previous assassinations of competent investigators in the Hawks as evidence that the attacks could be part of larger criminal operations.
“In my opinion, especially when it comes to the higher-ranking assassinations, I think a lot of it is linked. It just seems that it’s a tip of the iceberg and then it’s a bigger syndicate type operation that has been operating in South Africa,” he added.
Context of Heightened Tensions
The attempted hijacking comes less than 24 hours after President Cyril Ramaphosa placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on an immediate “leave of absence” amid allegations of links to organised crime networks.
Police remain on high alert in Gauteng as efforts to trace the suspects continue.