officer following a murder
13 June 2006
The Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) arrested a police officer who
was allegedly involved in an incident of murder involving a civilian in Tzaneen
in Limpopo province.
The incident occurred on Saturday, 10 June 2006 in Tzaneen, in Limpopo,
where it is alleged that a police officer from SAPS Tzaneen and his three
civilian friends, were on a drinking spree in a certain shebeen in the area. It
is alleged that while in the shebeen, the said suspect police officer
confronted Mr Ngwako Amos Kgofelo (35) and accused him a stealing his wallet
and as such an argument ensued between Mr Kgofelo and a police officer. It is
further alleged that the suspect police officer and his friends started
assaulting Mr Kgofelo in full view of the other patrons, and while bleeding
profusely he was thrown into the boot of a state vehicle and as such the
suspect police officer drove off from the shebeen. Yesterday, 12 June 2006 the
police received information that Mr Kgofelo was found dead next to the main
road in Tzaneen. While at the crime scene, the police were further informed
that the said police officer was witnessed around the same area were the
deceased was found.
The ICD took charge of an investigation on Monday, 12 June 2006 and arrested
a police officer and a civilian immediately. During the preliminary
investigation some evidence was found in the state vehicle that was used by the
suspect police officer.
The post-mortem will be conducted on Thursday, 15 June 2006 in Polokwane
Government Mortuary.
The two suspects will appear today, 13 June 2006 at the Tzaneen Magistrateâs
Court. The ICD will request that suspects be kept in custody for further
investigation.
A recommendation that a suspect police officer be suspended will be
forwarded to the SAPS Management in due course.
After finalisation of our investigation the case docket will be forwarded
with our recommendations to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
We wish to reiterate that we will not tolerate any involvement of police
officers in criminality.
Enquiries: Steve Mabona
ICD National Spokesperson
Cell: 082 809 1927
Issued by: Independent Complaints Directorate
13 June 2006
