Cops
trade insults at hearing
22 Feb 2013 | Katlego Moeng Crime Reporter
"You are a police
officer with five years experience, and you do not know that you are not
supposed to drink when you are carrying your service pistol?
TENSIONS ran high at the Brakpan Magistrate's Court yesterday when a
local detective in the SAPS appeared in connection with the murder of an
Ekurhuleni metro police officer.
Siviwe Ndyoki, 28, of Tsakane is accused of shooting EMPD officer Popi
Maseko on Sunday, February 10, while she was on duty. During the lunch break,
officers from the two departments traded insults.
The families of Ndyoki and Maseko attended the proceedings, as did their
[accused and deceased] colleagues, some in uniform.
Before the bail hearing began, all officers in attendance were
instructed to hand in their firearms.
Ndyoki said he did not intend to kill anyone that day. He was off duty,
and the incident happened at about 8pm, he told the court.
He said he was involved in a car accident, after which the metro police
were called. He said the officers did breathalyser tests and told him he was
drunk and that he should get into their car.
Ndyoki admitted to having drunk two pints of beer.
He said he sat behind the front passenger seat in the metro police
vehicle. He said another man, a civilian, also got in and sat behind the
driver's seat.
Ndyoki said he thought he was being driven to the police station but was
surprised to see the female officer driving to Pholosong Hospital.
He said he started arguing with the male officer in the front passenger
seat after he asked for R150, saying they would go back to the accident scene
if he paid. He said during the argument, the male officer pointed a gun at him.
"I immediately drew my firearm, which already had a bullet in the
chamber. The civilian grabbed my gun. I struggled with him and two shots went
off."
He said he jumped out of the vehicle and ran, leaving the pistol with
the civilian.
He said he then ran to a nearby house where he hid.
Magistrate Anita Snyman was not amused: "You are a police officer
with five years experience, and you do not know that you are not supposed to
drink when you are carrying your service pistol?
"You hide in someone's yard and you do not ask for assistance? You
are a police officer but you run away from a scene?"
The hearing continues.
