Cape Town - The widow of slain police officer, David Hoffman, who was shot by his colleague in the head at a braai five years ago is praying the case will at last reach finality so she and her children can have closure.
Ashley Hoffman has taken to social media in recent days, on the anniversary of Hoffman’s death, sharing what transpired on the fatal day and how his passing had affected the lives of her family.
Hoffman a sergeant in the police’s AGU, Anti-Gang Unit, was killed by his colleague, Sergeant Marlon Appollis, who cracked the case against family killer, Henry van Breda.
Appolis has been found guilty of culpable homicide following the shooting on August 17, 2019, in Franschhoek.
Phaladi Shuping of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) told Weekend Argus the case was still before court for sentencing proceedings.
“The accused was found guilty of culpable homicide and the case was postponed to October 9 and 16, 2024 for sentencing,” he said.
Eric Ntabazalila of the National Prosecuting Authority also confirmed this.
Ashley said their family could not move forward because the case had been dragging on for years due to various postponements and delays.
She was still praying for the truth to emerge and for healing for her family.
“Mentally, we are stuck, I have two children, one who is 21 and the other, 13-years-old,” she said.
“It has affected my one daughter academically.
“I am at the point in my life where I am emotionally drained and I feel there is no fight left in me, I need to close this chapter.
“I have forgiven this person (Appolis), I do not hate him.
“There have been so many different prosecutors and they all gave us hope.”