Metro cop shot in the head out of coma

The metro police officer who was shot in the head while chasing gunmen in Lenasia is out of a coma, but is still fighting for his life.

Johannesburg - The Metro police officer who was shot in the head while chasing gunmen in Lenasia is out of a coma, but is still fighting for his life.

Simon Sigasa is still in ICU in hospital, where he has been since he was shot on April 18 while chasing a gang in Vlakfontein, Lenasia. They drove off when another officer spotted a gun in their vehicle.

Joburg metro police department spokeswoman Edna Mamonyane said Sigasa had emerged from the coma at the weekend, but was not talking yet.

Mamonyane said his doctor had ordered that only a few of his immediate family may see him, so that he can rest.

“He is stable but is still in a serious condition,” she added on Wednesday.

Sigasa and three colleagues were on the Golden Highway enforcing the speed limit when a colleague stopped a silver Volvo that was speeding. She apparently noticed a gun in the car when she started speaking to the driver; the driver then sped off.

Sigasa and his colleague got into their vehicle and gave chase, following the Volvo into Vlakfontein, where its occupants opened fire on the officers. Sigasa was shot in the head.

The attackers fled and hid in a shack at a house. But residents saw them, beat them and handed them to the police. A gun was found in the Volvo.

Mamonyane confirmed the vehicle had been cloned. She said there was a similar vehicle, with the same registration, make, colour and licence disc, with its rightful owner, while everything on the one the gunmen were using was false.

Hawks spokesman Robert Netshiunda confirmed the arrest of Sibusisi Ncwabe, 35, brothers Kuphiwakuhle and Bhekokwakhe Mvelase, aged 34 and 37 respectively, and Lungelo Rodney Nkomonde, 27, for their role in Sigasa’s shooting.

botho.molosankwe@inl.co.za

The Star