Another SAPS police officer has been hit with attempted murder charges after it was alleged that she had shot a student in the leg, during Tuesday’s ‘national shutdown‘ picketing.
SAPS under the spotlight for violence once again
Students clashed with public order police in Braamfontein in yet another violent protest that mimicked last week’s scenes where Mthokozisi Ntumba was murdered.
Similarly to the latter, students ran rampant with claims that police officers had shot a protestor in the leg, with images of the 20-year-old’s injuries circulating on social media.
This is a rubber coated steel billet used by the lady on the picture, she shot the student on close range and we will make sure we open the case pic.twitter.com/hEp62or93J
— NDIPIWE (@MADIBANDIPWE) March 15, 2021
At first, the police, responding to mounting questions about this incident, denied that any shooting had taken place.
“The SAPS can report that none of its members deployed in Braamfontein had fired any shots during the said protests. However, in an effort to disperse volatile crowds, only a smoke grenade was used in one incident and water cannons in others,” the statement read.
SAPS officer charged with attempted murder
On Wednesday, the police doubled-back on this stance. With more information received from the victim, a charge of attempted murder was filed against a police officer who, according to the student, reacted in anger after a quarrel and discharged her firearm without physical provocation.
“The student alleged that on 15 March 2021 she and her male friend were picked up by police who were travelling in a marked police vehicle and when they were being dropped off near the Bramfontein Cemetery, an altercation ensued between herself and a police officer. She further alleged that she was then forced out of the police vehicle and subsequently shot in her leg,” spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo noted.
More importantly, the incident did not take place near the protest hoopla, adding further probable cause on the charge.
At this time, it is unclear if the said charges have been filed against this female officer who was identified online as the alleged shooter.
“The police officers against whom this allegation is being levelled have not yet been identified. This matter is being referred to the Independent Police Investigative Directive (IPID) for further investigation,” the police said.
The matter sits with Ipid who, at this time, are in a rush to close the senseless murder of Ntumba.
This is a developing story.