Chana faces attempted murder charge

Ramogase said, “We note with bemusement that the police are preparing to lay charges of attempted murder against Khuli Chana, relating to Monday’s [28 October] incident. For the record, Chana is innocent of any crime and is a victim in this matter.

It is indisputable that Chana was shot seven times and that he committed no crime. For the past week we have been fielding queries and baseless claims aimed at attacking Chana’s reputation. On the morning in question Chana was not speeding and neither was he flagged down. We believe that, following the various probes into the matter, Khuli will be vindicated.”

In the same statement, Khuli Chana’s lawyer, Cliff Alexander, said, “Whether or not Chana was flagged or not flagged down by unknown people, it does not justify why police shot him. The police have exceeded the bounds as contained in section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Act.”

Alexander added, “At this point we are unaware of any other CCTV footage other than the CCTV footage from the garage. Neither Chana or his legal team have been afforded the opportunity to view this other CCTV footage.”

Khuli Chana was shot in the back and in his hand when police officers mistook his vehicle for that of the kidnappers on 28 October at the Caltex Garage on the N1 in Midrand. The police officer who allegedly shot Chana has also been charged with attempted murder. Chana is said to be recovering from the ordeal.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate is investigating the matter. A police officer from Silverton in Pretoria appeared at Germiston Regional Court on Tuesday on charges of kidnapping, house robbery and extortion.

3 November, 9.30am:

Police have reportedly acquired evidence to support a charge of attempted murder against rapper Khuli Chana.

The Director of Public Prosecution will make the decision on the case and would be presented with CCTV footage and statements from witnesses that reportedly show uniformed police officers tried to stop Chana, but he tried to run over them in his sedan. Thereafter shots were fired.

This evidence reportedly supports the police officers’ statements after the incident.

Chana’s charge of attempted murder against police still stands after he was wounded on his finger and back.

The incident took place on the N1 Highway, just after the New Road off-ramp in Midrand, in the early hours of 28 October.

28 October,  10am:

Rapper Khuli Chana was shot by police officers on the N1 in Midrand in the early hours of 28 October.

Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said police were investigating a case of attempted murder in Midrand after South African rapper Khuli Chana was shot and wounded by police in an apparent case of mistaken identity.

Dlamini said the incident happened in the early hours of 28 October near a Caltex garage on the N1 in Midrand. “It is alleged that a case of kidnapping was reported in Bedfordview and the kidnappers demanded a ransom from the family of the victim,” he said.

“The family of the victim was instructed to drop the ransom money at the Caltex garage.” He said members of the Hawks followed up information and arrested a suspect who was found in possession of a fake police appointment certificate and unlicensed firearm.

“In the meantime police officers from Bedforview who were following up the same information about the kidnappers arrived at the garage and saw a BMW (Chana’s) with a similar description of the vehicle used by the kidnappers as it was leaving the garage,” said Dlamini.

He said it was alleged that as they were trying to stop the vehicle it drove away at high speed and several shots were fired. The driver lost control and it was established that the driver had sustained gunshot wounds. He was immediately taken to hospital for treatment.

An internal investigation is being conducted regarding the circumstances that led to the shooting incident.

28 October, 7.30am:

It was reported that rapper Khuli Chana was shot by police officers just after the New Road offramp in the early hours of 28 October.

Chana was reportedly passing an unmarked police vehicle when police opened fire after they believed him to be a criminal who was driving a similar vehicle.The shootout ensued after police believed Chana’s vehicle to be the same as one they had flagged as involved in a kidnapping.

It was believed that the New Road offramp was the drop-off zone for a R100 000 ransom for a kidnapping. Chana’s vehicle allegedly fitted the same description as the criminal’s vehicle.

Midrand police communication officer Constable Matome Tlamela said provincial police were handling the case and will send a statement to Midrand Reporter shortly.