Krugersdorp officers involved in 'execution' to be
suspended
Tuesday 3 November 2015 05:29
News 24
In the video footage, Khulekani
Mpanza is executed by a police officer while his colleagues watch on.(SABC)
The four officers involved in the
alleged execution of a wounded suspect in Krugersdorp have been handed notices
of intention to suspend them. Further suspensions against other officers were
also being considered.
That's according to Gauteng police spokesperson, Colonel Noxolo Kweza, who said in a statement that the four were handed their notices while in custody.
Kweza said the four would now have 48 hours to respond in writing and indicate why they should not be suspended.
He went on to say that acting national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane had said that SAPS would help unravel the incident.
"[Phahlane] said law enforcement officers are there to keep law and order and this should not degenerate into violence. This calls for assertive policing as opposed to police brutality," Kweza said.
"As Ipid [Independent Police Investigative Directorate] is already investigating this matter, we intend to co-operate with them fully to unravel the mystery behind this inhumane slaying."
The four officers who were allegedly involved in the incident were arrested by Ipid and are being kept at the same Krugersdorp police station where they served.
The officers, three men and a woman, handed themselves over on Monday morning, Ipid spokesperson Grace Langa said.
Three of the male police officers were believed to reside in the barracks next to the station.
That's according to Gauteng police spokesperson, Colonel Noxolo Kweza, who said in a statement that the four were handed their notices while in custody.
Kweza said the four would now have 48 hours to respond in writing and indicate why they should not be suspended.
He went on to say that acting national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane had said that SAPS would help unravel the incident.
"[Phahlane] said law enforcement officers are there to keep law and order and this should not degenerate into violence. This calls for assertive policing as opposed to police brutality," Kweza said.
"As Ipid [Independent Police Investigative Directorate] is already investigating this matter, we intend to co-operate with them fully to unravel the mystery behind this inhumane slaying."
The four officers who were allegedly involved in the incident were arrested by Ipid and are being kept at the same Krugersdorp police station where they served.
The officers, three men and a woman, handed themselves over on Monday morning, Ipid spokesperson Grace Langa said.
Three of the male police officers were believed to reside in the barracks next to the station.
Police initially opened an inquest
docket however the charges were later changed to murder after the footage
surfaced
They
allegedly shot and killed Khulekani Mpanza on October 19.
The Sunday Times reported at the weekend it had closed circuit television (CCTV) footage of Mpanza being shot in the arm while running away after he allegedly fired shots at a police van.
In the footage, Mpanza is seen dropping his firearm before falling on the pavement where a policeman is seen to shoot him. Another policeman is seen approaching Mpanza and kicking him.
Then another shot, apparently to the head, is fired, leaving him dead.
"During the incident, it is alleged members from Krugersdorp had responded to a complaint of a suspicious vehicle parked outside a business premises in Lewisham. There were two people inside the vehicle," said Kweza.
"On arrival at the scene, two members saw a Toyota Conquest, with two men inside. As the members were approaching the vehicle, one of the occupants of the Toyota started shooting at the police who then returned fire. Police called for backup and another police vehicle which was in the vicinity responded. The driver of the Toyota sped off while the other suspect escaped on foot. A car chase ensued and shots were fired. The suspect was shot and killed."
He said Mpanza's gun was allegedly stolen from a security guard in Moroka, Soweto.
"Police initially opened an inquest docket, however, the charges were later changed to murder after the footage surfaced."
The Sunday Times reported at the weekend it had closed circuit television (CCTV) footage of Mpanza being shot in the arm while running away after he allegedly fired shots at a police van.
In the footage, Mpanza is seen dropping his firearm before falling on the pavement where a policeman is seen to shoot him. Another policeman is seen approaching Mpanza and kicking him.
Then another shot, apparently to the head, is fired, leaving him dead.
"During the incident, it is alleged members from Krugersdorp had responded to a complaint of a suspicious vehicle parked outside a business premises in Lewisham. There were two people inside the vehicle," said Kweza.
"On arrival at the scene, two members saw a Toyota Conquest, with two men inside. As the members were approaching the vehicle, one of the occupants of the Toyota started shooting at the police who then returned fire. Police called for backup and another police vehicle which was in the vicinity responded. The driver of the Toyota sped off while the other suspect escaped on foot. A car chase ensued and shots were fired. The suspect was shot and killed."
He said Mpanza's gun was allegedly stolen from a security guard in Moroka, Soweto.
"Police initially opened an inquest docket, however, the charges were later changed to murder after the footage surfaced."
