TZANEEN: Police captain in court for tavern killing
It is alleged that the officer, who is said to be the owner of a tavern, had a quarrel with one of his patrons before allegedly shooting him dead with his wife's pistol.
A police captain appeared in the Giyani Magistrate Court on charges of murder and attempted murder on Monday.
Dennis Nghunyule (55) a member of the Modjadjiskloof Police Station was remanded in police custody until next Monday, May 27, for formal bail application.
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Nghunyule’s arrest followed the fatal shooting of Oscar Mkhabela (22) and serious injuring of his brother Walter Mkhabela (26) following a tavern brawl on Saturday night.
It is alleged that the officer, who is said to be the owner of a tavern, had a quarrel with one of his patrons before allegedly shooting him dead with his wife’s pistol.
When the brother of the deceased interfered he was also shot and wounded and is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital.
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said that upon hearing about the murder, the community of Makosha Village mobilised and stormed the tavern, looted the liquor and other valuables before setting the building alight.
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“They also torched four vehicles which belonged to the family members of the officer. A retired police officer who allegedly attempted to scare the crowd away by discharging his private firearm was assaulted and disarmed. He was also admitted to hospital. The said firearm was handed over to Giyani police station,” said Mojapelo.
He further said that two police vehicles were also damaged when the police enforced the law to calm the situation.
Eight suspects aged between 22 and 33 years old were arrested for public violence.
They were expected to appear in the Giyani Magistrate’s Court at the time of going to press.
The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba has instructed the investigators of this incident to leave no stone unturned in determining and uncovering exactly what happened.
“General Ledwaba condemned, in the strongest possible terms, what seemed to be the violent retaliation by the community of Makosha Village. Community members are urged to report any form of crime to the police and desist from taking the law into their own hands,” urged General Ledwaba.
