Off-duty policeman gunned down outside Mdantsane home

The Hawks in the Eastern Cape are on the hunt for gunmen who ambushed and shot dead an off-duty East London police dog unit member in Mdantsane’s NU 11b in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Dimbaza-born Thanduxolo “Thando” Ganyaza, 42, who doubles as a music DJ and clothing label designer, was ambushed as he was about to enter his rented residence in the sprawling township just after 5am on Sunday.

His vehicle, a metallic blue VW Polo, was sprayed with bullets, hitting him in the head, leg and arm. He died instantly.

His death was confirmed on Monday by his elder brother, Andile, who said it had left a void in their close-knit family.

Andile said he was made aware of the shooting incident when he was visited at his Dimbaza home by Ganyaza's friends on Sunday morning.

He drove to Mdantsane with the friends, he said, and on arrival, was told by a neighbour that after numerous gunshots, an unknown vehicle was seen speeding off from the scene.

He described his younger brother as “very supportive”, a pillar of strength who was and “loving towards his family”.

Hawks provincial spokesperson Captain Yoliswa Mgolodela on Monday confirmed that nothing was stolen, indicating that this was a hit.

“The Hawks can confirm that indeed a police sergeant attached to the East London K9 unit was fatally wounded by unknown suspects.

“On August 18, at approximately 5am, the deceased was in front of his house at Mdantsane when [he was shot dead].”

He was off-duty at the time.

“The reasons behind his killing are unknown at this stage,” Mgolodela said.

Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa said:“The SAPS management is saddened and shocked by the killing of this 42-year-old police sergeant in front of his home.”

The case has been handed over to the Hawks as they are responsible for investigating police killings.

Police insiders, who did not want to be named as they were not authorised to speak to the media,  said a 24-hour activation plan to find Ganyaza’s killer or killers had been put in place.

“Another police officer who stays in the same area said he had heard the gunshots just after 5am as he was preparing to go for his 6am shift at the nearby Vulindlela police station, and when he got to the scene, no-one was there and Ganyaza had already passed on,”  one insider said.

Another said Ganyaza’s body was found just outside his vehicle “as if he was trying to run away from the imminent danger”.

“His car had six bullet holes on the left front door and windows.

“He was found lying outside next to his car.”

The insider said more than eight spent 9mm cartridges and one live bullet were found at the scene.

“Nothing was taken as his cellphone and wallet were still in his possession when he was found, while his service gun was found inside his rented home,” the insider said.

A long-time friend of Ganyaza, who also did not want to be identified, said he had met Ganyaza in the early 1990s when they were both avid ballroom dancers in the Dimbaza and Ginsberg townships.

He said Ganyaza, who had joined the police in the early 2000s, was the brains behind the Cavie Glen clothing label.

He described Ganyaza as “the most humble soul”.

“He was someone who would wake up in the middle of the night to come and help you without any hesitation.

“It troubles me that there is someone out there who would want to see Taylor [Ganyaza] dead.”

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nomthetheleli Mene said the murder was shocking and frustrating as police officers were the ones mandated to fight crime but they were being killed by “heartless criminals”.

Mene called on anyone who might have witnessed the shooting to come forward with any information that could help bring the perpetrators to book.

Ganyaza leaves behind two brothers and a six-year-old daughter. 

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