THE Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has opened a probe into the death of Musawenkosi Gabela, who Isipingo police officers gunned down at his Malagazi home on April 28.

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His elderly mother, Doris Gabela, was also arrested during the incident and spent the night in custody before appearing in the Umlazi Magistrate’s Court the following day.

The events unfolded during an escalating land dispute between the Gabela family, a local community policing forum (CPF) member, and neighbouring residents. Conflicting accounts have emerged from the Gabela family and the police regarding the circumstances surrounding Musawenkosi’s death and his mother’s arrest. According to police spokesperson Constable Donald Naidoo, Musawenkosi was shot after he allegedly launched an unprovoked attack on officers. However, Pamela Gabela, Doris’s daughter, has strongly refuted this version of events.

Pamela explained that around 2010, her mother had allowed a homeless family to erect a temporary structure on a portion of her property. Over time, that family allegedly sold the land to another party. Access to the disputed land requires crossing the Gabela yard. Due to the deteriorating relationship, the family instructed the new occupants to find an alternate route and not to trespass on their property.

Pamela recounted that on the morning of April 28, her mother was sitting on the veranda when she noticed several individuals, including a CPF member, passing through the yard. Doris reportedly questioned why they were entering her property without greeting her. After a brief exchange, the group left and flagged down a passing police van. Two officers then entered the Gabela yard to inquire about the situation. According to Pamela, her family explained that the neighbours were illegally occupying the land and that there was no formal agreement in place. The officers reportedly warned the neighbours not to enter the Gabela yard again and left. However, tensions escalated when the CPF member allegedly returned, this time armed with a crowbar. An altercation broke out between him and Musawenkosi after the CPF member allegedly responded provocatively when confronted.

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Later that morning, around 11:00, Pamela said a group of plainclothes men armed with rifles stormed their home. She alleges they beat and strangled Musawenkosi, who was unarmed, until he became unresponsive. Only then, she says, did they shoot him as he lay motionless. The group only identified themselves as police after the shooting, she claimed. During the altercation, Doris reportedly tried to intervene to protect her son but was also allegedly assaulted. She was then detained and transferred to police custody.

An eyewitness independently corroborated Pamela’s account.

Constable Naidoo presented a different version, stating that the CPF member was attempting to mediate the land dispute. According to Naidoo, Musawenkosi managed to grab an officer’s R5 rifle during a confrontation, prompting a struggle in which three rounds were discharged. Another officer, in an attempt to protect his colleague, then shot Musawenkosi. One officer reportedly sustained a gunshot wound to his leg during the scuffle and was taken to the hospital.

Pamela denied this version of events, saying her brother never grabbed the gun and the police are trying to cover up what really happened.

Doris was charged with attempted murder, assaulting a police officer, interfering with police duties, and resisting arrest. She was granted bail and is expected to appear again in the Umlazi Magistrate’s Court on May 28.

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