The life of Mthokozisi Ntumba came to an untimely halt in what turned out to be a gruesome spectacle the entire country witnessed.
Watch: CCTV footage captures moments before shooting
Video footage of Ntumba sprawled on the pavement with blood streaming from his chest and mouth made it on social media and quickly spread, shedding light on the events that were taking place in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, on Wednesday.
It was later confirmed that he had succumbed to a gunshot wound. At this time, debates are ongoing on whether the riot police officials who released the firearm used a rubber bullet or live ammunition.
More importantly, CCTV footage showing the moments that led up to Ntumba’s death was leaked and in it, it’s pretty evident that the police officials were leading an unprovoked assault against a group of Wits protesters who had run into a block of storefronts Ntumba was coincidentally coming out of.
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Arrest the cop who killed Mthokozisi Ntumba
— Chief Erican (@EricanSA) March 11, 2021
Arrest the cop who killed Mthokozisi Ntumba
Arrest the cop who killed Mthokozisi Ntumba
Arrest the cop who killed Mthokozisi Ntumba
Arrest the cop who killed Mthokozisi Ntumba#RIPmthokozisintumba #RIPMthokozisi #witsprotest pic.twitter.com/NkfSMYkl21
Police involved in Mthokozisi Ntumba death are not arrested
The actions of the police officers are currently under the microscope of the Independent Police Investigations Directorate (Ipid). So far, the internal unit has only confirmed that there is a mountain of evidence to pile through, to figure out what exactly led to Ntumba’s death.
“During the preliminary investigation the Directorate has managed to collect numerous witness statements, to confiscate firearms and the same will be taken for ballistic analysis, post mortem to determine actual cause of death will be conducted later this week, family liaison has started and the investigation continues,” Ipid noted in a statement.
Concerning the officers in question, Ipid would not be drawn into making any further announcements. On Thursday morning, Police Minister Bheki Cele paid Ntumba’s family a courtesy visit at his home in Bergville.
Ntumba was a father to three children and had recently obtained a Master’s degree.
