NPA throws Ipid’s case out

An on-duty Eastern Cape police officer was arrested over the weekend and accused of shooting and killing his cousin at a tavern.

He was released by a Bizana magistrate on Monday when the National Prosecuting Authority declined to prosecute citing a lack of evidence.

NPA regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) needed to go back to the drawing board.

“They need to investigate this case thoroughly and bring compelling evidence we can use to prosecute. The accused is free pending the investigation by the Ipid,” said Tyali.

Ipid spokesperson Moses Dlamini said the Mzamba officer was “showing off” his state pistol to his cousin when he accidentally shot himself, with the bullet bouncing off the left side of his head and then hitting his cousin in the face, killing him instantly.

Dlamini said the officer had visited the tavern where his cousin was drinking alcohol.

Dlamini said the officer had asked the victim to step aside with him so that he could “show him what he was carrying”. Dlamini said the officer then pulled an “already” charged state pistol from his waist.

“The suspect then took out his service pistol from his waist and immediately after taking it out, the firearm discharged and the bullet hit him on the head and also hit the deceased”.

Dlamini said the shooter was was arrested by the police and blood was drawn to check his alcohol level. A case of culpable homicide is being investigated, said Dlamini.

“The Ipid attended the scene and took over the investigation.”

He said Ipid would respond to the NPA action once he had spoken to the investigating officer.