Crimes of the South African Police Service

Death was accidental, cop claims

SIVIWE Ndyoki was set to know today if magistrate Anita Snyman would grant him bail. Yesterday, the 28-year-old police detective constable appeared at the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court for his formal bail application. He has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge, escaping from lawful custody and attempted murder. It has been alleged that Ndyoki shot and killed Ekurhuleni metro police officer Popi Maseko, who had responded to an accident scene that Ndyoki was involved in. Maseko was with a male colleague on their way to Pholosong Hospital in Tsakane to have the constable’s blood drawn after a breathalyser test showed that he was drunk. Taking the stand in courtroom A, Ndyoki testified he had been told by the officers that he’d be taken to the police station. However, the two metro cops drove towards the hospital and an argument broke out between him and the front passenger (a male metro cop) who requested a R150 bribe. “I told him that he is mad. He produced a firearm and pointed (it) at me. I realised I was in possession of my service pistol, which I took out to defend myself as I was taught as a policeman,” he said. Ndyoki said Maseko, who was driving at the time, and a passenger who was with them, had remained quiet during the argument. He said the passenger sitting next to him grabbed his hands when she realised that he was reaching for his service pistol. “We struggled with the gun and two shots were fired. All this happened fast and I was scared.” Ndyoki said he was afraid and ran from the scene. He hid in the yard of a house nearby. The case was adjourned for the day. By Kutlwano Olifant and Msizi Nkosi The Star 22/02/13 Early Edition