Quarrel over masks: Limpopo soldier charged with attempted murder

A 27-year-old man is currently in hospital after having sustained a gunshot wound yesterday afternoon, Review Online reports.

The incident took place at a local shopping complex in Mogwadi and according to Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo, a 29-year-old soldier has been arrested.

A young man was shot by a Soldier in Limpopo dendron this is after he refused to put on a mask and after an altercation the soldier pointed at him with a firearm and pulled the trigger. pic.twitter.com/1m4kROdz7k

— White Lounge Sunninghill (@whitesunninghil) September 17, 2020

“Members of the National Defence Force were reportedly on duty to monitor compliance with Covid-19 regulations in the area when they approached a group of people, who were not wearing face masks. When asked why they were not wearing masks, an argument ensued and a shot went off,” Mojapelo said.

He added that the soldier was charged with attempted murder and is set to appear in the Morebeng Magistrate’s Court, today.

Review Online contacted Siphiwe Dlamini, SANDF’s head of communications, who said he is still “gathering information about the incident”. Review was referred to Capt Jaco Theunissen, Joint Operations Spokesperson, for comment, who confirmed the incident.

“The soldiers asked the people why they are not wearing masks and a quarrel broke out after which the man sustained a gunshot wound in his upper right leg,” Theunissen explained.

SA National Defence Force Media Statement | SA National Defence Force confirms a weapon discharge incident where a civilian person trying to disarm a soldier was shot on the thigh at Mogwadi, Limpopo.#sandf#SANDF pic.twitter.com/iFup1rUTl1

— SA National Defence Force (@SANDF_ZA) September 18, 2020

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