The Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) has today arrested five Constables from Pietermaritzburg Public Order Policing on charges of murder, kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice. Three of the constables are reservists.
The arrest follows an ICD investigation into the death of 45 year old Mr Zamokwakhwe Goodman Mchunu from Shakaskraal in KwaZulu-Natal.
It is alleged that on 18 March 2011, the deceased was picked up from his place of employment in Ballito to point out a firearm at his home in Shakaskraal. Apparently no firearm was found but the suspect police officers allegedly told the deceased’s wife not to tell anyone about their visit.
The police then took the deceased to Engome area in Greytown, where he was allegedly assaulted severely in a hut in Mr Mkhwanazi’s homestead. Apparently the deceased had identified Mr Mkhwanazi’s home as the place where the firearm was to be found. No firearm was found. After the assault, the deceased was allegedly carried into a police vehicle, a Toyota Hi-Ace.
The suspect police officers, of whom one is female, allegedly phoned the Greytown police station to report a shooting incident. Their story was that the deceased had indicated that he wanted to urinate and the handcuffs were taken off after which he grabbed a police firearm. They said that the deceased had fired two shots at police, who returned fire hitting the deceased on the chest, killing him instantly.
As part of the ICD’s investigation, a post mortem was conducted by a specialist forensic pathologist at the behest of the ICD. The results indicated that Mr Mchunu was already dead when he was shot.
The suspects are Constable Inos Sanele Bheki Ngcobo (33), Constable Makhosini Ashwell Hlongwane (32), Constable (Reservist) Mondli David Mlotshwa (31), Constable (Reservist) Hlangani Richman Mchunu (30), and Constable (Reservist) Zakhona Queeneth Ngcobo (24).
The suspects were arrested by the ICD and appeared in the Greytown Magistrates Court on 1 April 2011. They were remanded in custody until 14 April 2011 for a formal bail application. The charges they face are murder, kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice.
The ICD has also recommeded that the suspects be suspended with immediate effect.
For enquiries:Moses Dlamini (ICD National Spokesman)
Cell: 082 809 1927
