By Neelam Rahim

Seven Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Policing Department (EMPD) officers are expected to appear in the Tsakane Magistrate’s Court on Monday on a charge of murder, attempted murder, and defeating the ends of justice.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) arrested the five constables and two inspectors on Saturday about a shooting incident at a shack in Langaville, Extension 6, which left one man dead, and another man shot wounded on Thursday.

IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping said that the arrest came after the officers entered the shack where they found four men, two of whom were asleep.

The two men inside the shack were allegedly assaulted by the officers, whereafter they heard gunshots and one among their friends screaming for help.

Suping said the officers left the scene, and the men went outside to check on their friends, where they found one lying on the ground with two gunshot wounds to the right leg and the other man missing.

The injured man was rushed to hospital for medical treatment but encountered the same officers on the way.

“They met up with the same law enforcement officials, stopped and confronted them about the whereabouts of their friend who was still missing. The police allegedly told them that they do not [sic] know because he ran away.”

From the hospital, the group went to the Tsakane police station to open a case of attempted murder against the police officers, where they received a call that the body of their missing friend had been found behind a shack in Langaville.

“The deceased’s body was transported to Springs Pathology Services and a post-mortem was conducted yesterday morning,” said Suping.

The officers face a charge of murder, attempted murder, and defeating the ends of justice.

Source: News24