Sterkspruit cop back in court over killing of colleague

AN EASTERN Cape police officer who allegedly shot dead a fellow officer and wounded another is due back in court this morning.

Constable Mzukisi Mnyaka, 42, of Sterkspruit police station, was arrested on Tuesday in Sterkspruit on murder and attempted murder charges.

He appeared in the Sterkspruit Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday and his case was postponed to today for a formal bail application.

Provincial police allege Mnyaka shot dead Constable Mthetheleli Mrasi, a father of two, during an argument. Constable Thabo Tutu tried to intervene but was shot in the lower body. He survived.

Mnyaka was immediately arrested and charged. Police declined to release further details of the incident.

In a separate case, three Mthatha flying squad members were released on R1 000 bail following their court appearance in Dutywa yesterday.

Police spokeswoman Brigadier Marinda Mills said the two constables and a sergeant were arrested on Monday on charges of kidnapping.

They have been identified as Sergeant Funisile Mpukane, 46, Constable Tulani Mlungisi, 36, and Constable Vuyolwethu Mpaka, 30.

Mills said the alleged kidnapping took place in a Dutywa village on May 14, where the policemen entered a home and began searching it. Mills said the policemen were wearing their uniforms and driving in a marked police vehicle at the time. “They said they were looking for illegal firearms. They were in the company of a fourth man who was wearing civilian clothes,” Mills said.

She said when the policemen could not find firearms in the house they allegedly forced the homeowner to go with the fourth man to Mthatha.

They were allegedly going to withdraw money belonging to the complainant when police received information and intervened.

Mills said police arrested the fourth man, now identified as Vukile Ngcukuva. He was also released on R1 000 bail. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za