Four policemen in court for murder
Four police members, one of them a woman, will on Tuesday appear in court to face murder charges a day after they were arrested and suspended for their roles in the fatal shooting of an injured suspect.
The incident was captured on CCTV and has gone viral on social media.
The shocking incident in which a policeman walked over to an injured suspect, Khulekani Mpanza, and shot him dead as he lay on the ground happened two weeks ago in Krugersdorp.
“The members – a Sergeant and three Constables – were arrested by the IPID (Independent Police Investigative Directorate) on Monday," police Colonel Noxolo Kweza said.
“The four, who have been served in custody, have 48 hours whereby they must respond in writing and indicate why they should not be suspended.”
During the incident, it is alleged members from the Krugersdorp police had responded to a complaint of a suspicious vehicle parked outside a business premises in Lewisham.
On arrival at the scene, police 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 back up and another police vehicle which was in the nearby 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.
The firearm used by the suspect was recovered and 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 video footage surfaced.