Still no clarity on alleged murder of Vosloorus resident
There is still no clarity regarding the alleged murder of a 40-year-old Vosloorus resident following an altercation with a member of the EMPD on March 29.
Information gathered by Kathorus MAIL so far has revealed the incident that happened on Sunday afternoon during a raid by the EMPD at a house in Vosloorus, where a group of local residents were gathered, drinking.
The gathering, according to the pronouncement issued by President Cyril Ramaphosa, violated the 21-day lockdown parameters.
It is yet unclear how Sibusiso Amos met his death, but some details suggest he died after an altercation with an EMPD officer. A second man believed to be a private security officer was also charged alongside the officer for Amos’s death.
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Efforts by Kathorus MAIL to reach the Vosloorus SAPS for more details proved futile as the station’s communications officer, Capt Piet Rossouw’s, cellphone remained unanswered. Zonzizizwe SAPS communications officer Motuku Tema confirmed the murder case and arrests of the EMPD officer and private security officer.
Asked about the killing of Amos on Sunday, Tema said he was aware of the incident, but he could not provide Kathorus MAIL with any further information as he was not the media communication cluster head in charge on Sunday.
EMPD media liaison Kobeli Mokheseng told Kathorus MAIL his department has been barred by Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) from divulging any information to the media about the matter.
“The Ipid office is handling the investigation and they have requested us to direct all inquiries about this case to them,” explained Mokheseng.
Acting Ipid spokesperson Sontaga Seisa said EMPD officers were patrolling the area on Sunday when they noticed people drinking alcohol at a tavern.
Seisa told journalists the EMPD officers were enforcing the COVID-19 lockdown regulations. According to Seisa, community members then attacked officers when they attempted to make an arrest.
“In retaliation, the police discharged rubber bullets. It is further alleged the deceased was followed to his veranda, where he was fatally shot.”
Four children aged five, six and twins of 11 were shot and injured. The children were transported to the nearby Thelle Mogoerane Hospital, where they were treated and stabilised.
He also confirmed the arrests of the EMPD officer and a private security officer on Sunday evening and said they were charged with attempted murder and murder.
The two accused made a formal appearance in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on March 31 on a charge of murder; the case was postponed to April 8.
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The court, however, only read charges against one of the accused, while the NPA, according to Seisa, has asked for more investigations to be conducted against the EMPD officer, who has not been charged.
Seisa has admitted that Ipid is currently investigating several complaints that have been made against the police by members of the public for the use of excessive force during the lockdown.
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