KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr Willies Mchunu, has welcomed the arrest of three Road Traffic Inspectorate officers and one SAPS member in connection with an alleged murder case that happened a week ago.
It is alleged that on the 13 May 2013 three RTI officers and one SAPS member from eShowe had a break in their house and reported it to the nearby police station. On the 14th, two of the officers were off-duty and the other was on suspension. They then decided to go and investigate who had broken into their house. Upon their investigation they found six suspects whom they then took for questioning.
It is alleged that the three officers then took turns in beating the suspects. One of the suspects then died. They then, in an alleged attempt to conceal evidence took his body, placed it on the R66 so that the alleged murder would appear as if it was from a road accident.
The officers are facing a count of murder, kidnapping, assault and defeating the ends of justice. Mchunu has welcomed this arrest, saying that it sets a clear example that no one is above the law.
“Also as the MEC for the Department of Community Safety and Liaison I found this totally abhorrent. The alleged behaviour is totally unacceptable. The arrest of these officers is evidence that no one is above the law. We condemn any form of brutality and abuse of power. As the department we will institute internal investigation into the matter,” said Mchunu.
The four officers were apprehended yesterday and they appeared in the eShowe magistrate court. The case was postponed to Monday, 3 May 2013. Currently they are being kept in police custody.
Media contact:
Kwanele Ncalane
Cell: 072 803 1462 or 079 699 5755
