Family of murdered LEAP officer Yonke Pakade devastated by his death

The family of a LEAP officer who was hijacked and killed in Philippi say they are devastated by his murder.

Three suspects arrested for the murder of Yonke Pakade made a brief appearance in the Athlone Magistrate's Court on Tuesday morning.

Officials responded to the scene in Sheffield road, where the 26-year-old's vehicle was abandoned.

Cape Town's Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith, and a group of Pakade's law enforcement colleagues joined his family in court on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old LEAP officer was off duty when he and a colleague came under attack.

Pakade was stabbed to death by three men in a hijacking in Marikana informal settlement on Sunday.

His brother, Lwazi Pakade, who is the ward councillor in Langa, said his brother's murder had hurt the family deeply.

"He brought life to the family and he was also a shining armour to the family. Having lost him at such a young age is deeply hurtful to us, to everyone else in the family."

Asavela Ndamase, Thandalwethu Toto and Asemahle Pama are accused of Pakade'smurder.

The trio is charged with murder, robbery, theft and two counts of kidnapping.

The matter has been postponed to 21 October.

A fourth suspect is still at large.