‘Senseless and shamelessly killed’: Mourners pay tribute to slain Cape cop shot at hospital

Constable Donay Phillips from Sea Point Police station remembered

Constable Donay Phillips from Sea Point Police station remembered
Marvin Charles
  • Western Cape police commissioner Thembisile Patekile has vowed justice will be served for slain officer Constable Donay Phillips. 
  • Phillips was one of three people shot dead at New Somerset Hospital last Saturday.
  • Former Vredenburg police officer Jean-Paul Malgas is accused of the murders and was arrested.

Western Cape police commissioner Thembisile Patekile has promised the family of slain police officer Constable Donay Phillips justice will be served.

Patekile gave the key note address during a special memorial service for Phillips on Friday.

Phillips was one of three people shot dead at New Somerset Hospital last Saturday. He succumbed to his injuries the next day.

Patekile said: “He [Phillips] touched the hearts of every single one of his colleagues and he was a fighter for our democracy. When I listen to his life he was a much-loved man.”

He added on the fateful day when Phillips was killed, he acted with bravery and fought to protect the country’s democracy.

READ | Somerset Hospital shooting: ‘He loved his job’ – slain cop remembered at memorial service

“He died protecting our country and our democracy.”

Former Vredenburg police officer Jean-Paul Malgas is accused of the murders and was arrested.

Malgas made his first court appearance on Tuesday and abandoned his bail application. His lawyer told the court Malgas suffered from “severe depression”.

The case was postponed to 30 June for further investigations.

Constable Donay Phillips

Constable Donay Phillips, 32.

Patekile said: “He will stand his trial and that will be decided by the courts. I am not sure about his depression state, all I know is we arrested someone who killed one of our own.”

Phillips was the youngest son in his family.

His family reflected on his life during the memorial service.

Phillips had gotten engaged just before his death.

His brother, Shane, described him as energetic.

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