Family seeks justice for father’s death
Umzumbe's Zithulele Petros Doyisa, who died in hospital, was allegedly shot by police in a taxi in Umhlali near Ballito.
The Doyisa family in KwaNdelu under Umzumbe Municipality is demanding answers from the police.
This comes after a family member, Zithulele Petros Doyisa, was allegedly shot by police while he was in a taxi in Umhlali near Ballito in June.
Doyisa, who later died in hospital, was among two passengers who were shot.
According to initial reports, members of the Police Emergency Services task team identified a taxi matching the description of a vehicle reported hijacked and attempted to intercept it.
Before Doyisa’s death, police spokesperson Captain Ntathu Ndlovu confirmed that Umhlali police were investigating two counts of attempted murder.
“Police received information that a stolen vehicle was spotted on the N2, resulting in a high-speed chase. After various unsuccessful attempts to stop the vehicle and observing its blatant disregard for road safety, officers opened fire to bring it to a halt,” said Ndlovu.
After Doyisa’s death, his sister Thokozile Doyisa said they want accountability from the police.
“What is sad about my brother’s death is that he was the sole breadwinner of four children, none of whom are working. We even struggled to bury him. Now that he is gone, I don’t know what we are going to do to make ends meet. If we had money for legal action, we would take it against police because what they did is unacceptable,” she said.
Meanwhile, the deceased’s son, Sicelo Doyisa, said the only thing that would give them closure would be getting justice for their dad.
He said it was disappointing knowing that his father died allegedly at the hands of those who are supposed to protect communities.
KZN police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza, said the matter is now being investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
Questions were sent to IPID, and after many attempts to get hold of the directorate spokesperson, Lizzy Suping, a comment had not been received at the time of going to press.
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