A Cape Town police officer who confessed to the murder of five petrol attendants has been transferred to a psychiatric hospital, e.tv television news reported on Thursday.
Ismael Hendricks said he used his private firearm to shoot the men at a Grassy Park petrol station last week, e.tv reported. Hendriks was back in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday to process his transfer to the Valkenberg hospital.
The Independent Complaints Directorate has now taken over the investigation of the shooting incident.
Hendricks (35) has been a police officer for twelve years. He is married and has two children.
According to court papers, he has a history of depression. He was off duty when he allegedly used his private gun to execute the five petrol attendants.
For his family, his actions have been devastating.
His wife Miriam Hendricks said: ”I just want to express my condolences to the victims families…I am so sorry.”
Hendricks’s father-in-law, Abe Solomons, believes Hendriks did not receive enough support from police management, despite their knowing about his depression.
He said Hendricks went on stress leave twice last year and had his service pistol confiscated. Despite this, he was still issued with the private firearm.
Solomons said: ”The authorities did not allow him to take time off to go for treatment.”
Meanwhile, the relatives of the victims will leave for the Eastern Cape on Friday for the victims funerals.
The court has requested four different reports — from psychiatrists, a psychologist and a social worker.
Hendricks will remain at Valkenberg psychiatric hospital until his next court appearance on July 29. – Sapa