CAPE TOWN– The three men arrested in connection with an alleged armed business robbery that led to the death of Tyler Lamb, a Metro Police constable, will spend the festive season behind bars after their case was postponed to March next year for further investigation.
The suspects made their second court appearance yesterday (17 November) following their arrest earlier this month.
The state has since charged one of them with murder, while the remaining suspects face charges related to the robbery as well as the illegal possession of ammunition.
Meanwhile, the search for the fourth suspect continues.
Eric Ntabazalila, provincial National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, explains: “All three accused have abandoned their right to apply for bail. No names or pictures of the accused must be published as they are still going to go for an identity parade.”
Lamb, a newly deployed Neighbourhood Safety Officer (NSO), died after falling through a roof during a scuffle while attempting to arrest one of the suspects in Kensington on Friday 7 November.
JP Smith, Mayco member for safety and security, said the accused should not walk free while Lamb’s family mourns.
“I am glad they did not apply for bail and that there was also a commitment to opposing bail from the state.
“As we understand only one of them is being charged for murder, but if you commit an armed robbery then cause the death of someone and in this case officer Lamb, it should not just be the one who was in the scuffle who should be charged. They should all be held accountable.”
Smith hopes for the arrest of the fourth suspect sooner.
“It is frustrating that the fourth accused is still at large, but I know that substantial efforts are underway to try and get this person and sooner or later they will find him.”
Smith described Lamb as a remarkable officer.
“We have lost a gem of an officer and an incredibly good person. He was an extraordinary official and it is painful that someone like him is lost to his family and to the city.”
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