SEBOKENG – What started as an argument over food ended in bloodshed when an off-duty police officer opened fire outside BK Lifestyle Café on July 12, leaving one person dead and another seriously injured.
The 34-year-old officer, attached to the Orange Farm SAPS Detectives Unit, was allegedly driving a state-owned vehicle and was armed with his service firearm when the incident unfolded outside the Zone 14 establishment at about 03:00.
According to information at Ster’s disposal, an argument broke out after the officer allegedly became upset over an order of chicken gizzards before opening fire on the crowd through his windscreen.
Speaking to Ster anonymously, an eyewitness said, “The officer who seemed super intoxicated went back to the vehicle after tempers flared. While dozens of patrons stood in the street, all we heard were gunshots. People ran for their lives, and some got injured.”
Following the shootout, one person was declared dead on the scene, and another was rushed to a local hospital after sustaining injuries.
BK Lifestyle Café has distanced itself from the incident, saying it did not happen inside the establishment and was unrelated to its operations.
In a statement, management said the shooting occurred at a street vendor outside the premises while the café was closed.
“The individual involved was from another establishment,” the statement read.
The café extended its condolences to those affected and thanked members of the public and staff who assisted after the shooting.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has confirmed both the incident and the officer’s arrest.
IPID spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said the constable has been arrested on charges of murder and attempted murder.
He said the officer allegedly approached three men standing in the queue before an argument broke out.
“He went back to the car, allegedly pulled out a firearm and fired several shots through the front passenger window. One of the three men was fatally wounded, while a second man was seriously injured and rushed to hospital,” Shuping added.
The constable is expected to appear in the Sebokeng Magistrate’s Court today (July 14).
