Kwa-Guqa resident killed – family says police targeted wrong man
The family is calling for clarity after their son, 28-year-old Mxolisi Welcome Mphela, was allegedly shot and killed by police in Kwa-Guqa Phase 4.
The family of Mxolisi Welcome Mphela, 28, of Kwa-Guqa Phase 4, is demanding accountability and clarity after he was fatally shot, allegedly by police, yesterday.
According to the family, police were acting on a tip-off about carjacking suspects, which they believe led to Mxolisi being wrongfully targeted.
“We want to know exactly what led to this,” said Nomsa Mashego, Mxolisi’s sister.
“My brother had never been arrested and had no pending cases. He didn’t deserve to die. The police were looking for someone else, but they shot him instead.”
The tip-off prompted officers to confront residents in a local park. At approximately 14:00, chaos erupted when police arrived and reportedly opened fire, causing panic among residents.
“They were looking for someone else, and Mxolisi was caught in the middle,” Mashego stated.
Family members recounted the heartbreaking moments after the shooting. “When the police started shooting, everyone ran,” a family member shared. “That’s when Mxolisi was shot. He was still breathing when I reached him.”
The family alleged it took nearly three hours for an ambulance to arrive, by which time Mxolisi had already died from the gunshot wound to his upper body.
The frustration and grief of the community quickly turned into anger, with some residents reportedly throwing stones at police vehicles. Officers temporarily left the scene before returning later as the situation calmed.
“He won’t come back, and it’s painful,” the family lamented. “If police are looking for someone, they shouldn’t just start shooting. We want the truth and justice for our brother.”
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has opened a case to investigate the shooting.
The Mphela family is appealing to the community for support and urges anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
“We are asking the community to support us and help bring justice. Our brother’s life mattered.”
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