3 February 2009
Mpumalanga Safety and Security MEC Siphosezwe Masango has appreciated the
policeâs continuous efforts of bringing crime to its knees, however, he has
sympathised with the family of a 17 year old Sedi Khoza who was killed while
people were doing their job.
MEC Masango said it was, however, unfortunate that the police did not take
precautionary measures in arresting two suspects alleged to have had firearms
which resulted in the shooting.
It was reported that on Friday, 30 January 2009 armed police raided a school
searching for the two pupils when they subsequently fired shots of which one
bullet ricocheted off a wall into a pupilâs face killing him instantly.
âIt is with regret that an innocent learner was killed while the police were
doing their job at the school. Should the police be found that they were
negligent in performing their duties, the law should take its course,â said MEC
Masango.
MEC Masango said he was shocked about the sad news and sympathised with
Khozaâs family. He said the policeâs intention was to fight crime rather than
shooting innocent people. âWhile we do not condone the shooting at the school,
we want to thank the community for alerting the police about the firearms at
the school. We encourage such partnership between communities and the police,â
said MEC Masango.
He said regardless of the unfortunate incident at the school, learners
should always feel safe at schools and should also trust the police for their
safety. On Tuesday, 3 February 2009 the policeman that fired a shot that killed
a pupil was arrested by the Independent Complaints Directorate and appeared at
the Mhala Magistrateâs Court.
For more information, contact:
Mrs Zibonele Mncwango
Tel: 013 766 4018
Cell: 072 159 1865
Issued by: Department of Safety and Security, Mpumalanga Provincial
Government
3 February 2009
Source: Department of Safety and Security, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
(http://www.mpumalanga.gov.za)
