April 8, 2013
South Africa’s police have come under scrutiny following recent cases of
alleged misconduct. (Photo: TechCentral.co.za)
The Sowetan reports that a Limpopo police officer allegedly
shot and killed one man and injured two others following a car chase which took
place on March 29.
The warrant officer, who is stationed at Modimolle and who was driving a
marked police vehicle, chased the family’s bakkie from Modimolle to
Mmametlhake, northeast of Pretoria, where the two vehicles collided.
According to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, which is
investigating the matter, the officer claims that the occupants of the bakkie
shot at him, prompting him to return fire.
The driver of the bakkie, Hans Pitso, who was shot in the head and died
on the scene, was buried on Saturday.
The IPID says it is investigating a charge of murder and two counts of
attempted murder, but no arrest has been made as yet.
The IPID investigation comes as a 60-year-old woman is planning to take
legal action against the Tshwane metro police, after she was allegedly
assaulted by a female officer after a church service in Pretoria central last
month.
Sindiswa Hejana is said to have been attacked after defending her
husband from verbal abuse by the officer, whose colleagues later joined in the
attack.
South Africa’s police force has come under the spotlight following
recent cases of alleged misconduct, including the dragging and subsequent death
of Daveyton taxi driver Mido Macia.
The nine officers charged with Macia’s murder are due to return to court
this week for trial dates, according to The New Age.
http://witsjusticeproject.com/tag/daveyton-police/
