Rubber bullet strikes eMbalenhle-toddler, residents are mad at cops
According to Ms Tshatsheka, the policemen asked if she could prove it was them who had shot her daughter.
eMBALENHLE – Community members at eMbalenhle are accusing the police of brutality after allegedly being shot at with rubber bullets on 20 January.
Some people, including a toddler, came under fire and were injured.
The community is outraged that the four-year-old girl was shot in the stomach. Some said they will not tolerate this behaviour by the police.
The little girl and her mother were walking from Ext 18 to the long-distance taxi rank when they saw people running and then heard gunshots.
“Why did they shoot my child?” asked Ms Lumka Ms Tshatsheka.
“I was surprised to hear my Cwenga say: “Mom look!” while pointing at her stomach. I saw blood flowing from her stomach and that is when I realised that she had been shot.”
A motorist, who saw where the policemen who shot the child went, offered Ms Tshatsheka and the injured toddler a lift to pursue the cops.
According to Ms Tshatsheka, the policemen asked if she could prove it was them who had shot her daughter.
“They advised me to take Cwenga to the clinic.”
The little girl was treated at the clinic after which Ms Tshatsheka opened a case at the eMbalenhle Police Station.
“I cannot believe what happened to my child. She nearly died at the hands of the people who are supposed to protect us. I hope the law will take its course.
“I don’t know how this is going to further affect my child’s life.”
Ms Nompumelelo Bhembe told Ridge Times the police shot at her and four other people while they were mourning the passing of a one-year-old baby in their home at extension 14, eMbalenhle.
Ms Bhembe saw two police cars passing, followed by a man and woman in a police bakkie.
“The woman pointed at our house and asked if we all lived there. We said yes, but explained that we have lost a child that we were preparing for the burial.
“She told her partner: ‘Shoot these dogs!'”
According to Ms Bhembe, the cops opened fire.
“We were injured and had to be rushed to the nearest clinic.
eMbalenhle police spokesperson, Const Busi Mthethwa confirmed these incidents were reported to the police.
The cases were sent to the Independent Police Directorate for investigation.
