Follow-up: Residents demand justice after man allegedly killed by police in Protea
“We will not rest up until justice is served, we will make sure that this matter does not end here, we will follow this case till the end."
On Monday morning, angry residents of Protea South gathered at the Protea Glen Police Station to demand answers and seek justice regarding the ongoing case of 54-year-old, Simon Maluleke.
Maluleke was shot and killed at his home allegedly by a police officer who is stationed at Protea Glen Police Station over allegations of selling alcohol illegally on Sunday, April 14.
Addressing the community at the police station, Detective Smith said the Protea Glen Police Station will not be conducting the investigation regarding this case as they are the suspects.
ALSO READ: Protea man allegedly dies at the hands of police over alcohol
“The case is not with Protea Glen Police Station because we are the suspects since our member is involved in this matter.
“As you know IPID (Independent Police Investigative Directorate) takes over these investigations, so what they are going to do and when they are going to do it is not up to us to give them command or direct them,” said Smith.
Detective Smith added that he is unaware of the IPID’s investigative progress and when it will begin to apprehend those found guilty.
Residents were unpleased with the information they received from the police station as they were expecting to be told about the arrest of the suspect.
Speaking to the community during a community meeting that was held by the residents of Protea South and community leaders, Maureen Mnisi stated that they intend to follow this matter through to its conclusion and make sure that justice is served.
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“We will not rest up until justice is served, we will make sure that this matter does not end here, we will follow this case till the end.
“We will make sure that those with power get involved in this matter and also we want the state to contribute financially to the burial arrangements for the deceased,” said Mnisi.
Despite the community leaders’ best efforts to peacefully resolve the situation during the meeting, residents were still furious about the information they received at the police station and they began to protest.
They started throwing bricks at every police vehicle they encountered along the N12 Road, as well as burning tyres.
Speaking to Urban News, the deceased daughter, Nhlamulo Maluleke said as the family they are not satisfied with the information they received from the police regarding the case of their father.
ALSO READ: Police officer shot and killed in Protea Glen
“We were hoping to find out everything and find out when the police officer who shot my father would be taken into custody. We are really upset by this issue, and we are concerned about the way the police are handling it.
“They have opened a case without telling us, which bothers us and makes us wonder if things will be handled fairly because what we heard at the station was all completely new,” said Nhlamulo.
