The devastated family and friends of the late crimefighter, Sergeant Riyadh Ismail Adam, are calling on the South African Police Service (SAPS) to work speedily in making an arrest for his senseless shooting and murder.
Sgt Adam (41) was shot and killed during two armed robberies that took place minutes apart at the Pavilion Shopping Centre on Sunday afternoon, 19 November.
Speaking to the Springfield Weekly Gazette, Imtiaz Syed, close friend of the late Sgt Adam, said that there are no words that can describe the absolute dedication and passion that Sgt Adam had for his community.
He said: “Riyadh Ismail Adam was a soldier of the community in KZN. Unbeknown to many, a silent worker of the South African Police Service (SAPS), who worked tirelessly on the ground to make a great impact on the fight against crime over the years. He leaves behind his two children, a mother and a sister. We call on SAPS to act speedily to bring the criminals who have taken the life of Sgt Adam to justice.”
ALS Paramedics spokesperson, Garrith Jamieson, said that paramedics responded to a shooting incident at a popular mall in Westville, just outside Durban, at 5.15pm on Sunday.
He said: “On arrival, paramedics found two separate active crime scenes. The first was at the traffic lights before the mall, where a police member was shot. He was in a critical condition and was rushed to a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, due to his injuries, he passed away a short while later.”
Jamieson said that the second scene was inside the mall, at two popular jewellery stores.
“Paramedics treated and transported two females, one pregnant, who were assaulted during the alleged robbery. Both patients were stabilised on the scene by ALS Paramedics before being transported to a nearby hospital,” he said.
Provincial SAPS spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, said that police in Westville are searching for a group of suspects in connection with two cases of business robbery and the murder of a police officer at a mall in Westville on 19 November.
He said: “Information at police’s disposal indicates that a suspect, who posed as a customer, entered a jewellery store and in no time, at least four other suspects followed him. The suspects then overpowered the staff and robbed them of an undisclosed amount of jewellery.”
He said that another group of suspects stormed into another jewellery store simultaneously and also robbed them of an undisclosed amount of gold jewellery.
“On their way out of the mall, the suspects came across a police vehicle and started firing shots towards an officer, who succumbed to his injuries. It was further established that the suspects had robbed two security guards of their firearms. The suspects then fled in two getaway vehicles; a bakkie and a silver Toyota Etios,” said Col Netshiunda.
Police are pleading with anyone who might have information regarding the whereabouts of the suspects to contact the nearest police station or call Crime Stop on 08600-10111 (toll-free). Alternatively, information can be relayed through the MySAPS app. The funeral of the late Sgt Adam took place on Monday, 20 November.
