Man shot during drug raid
A MAN is apparently in a critical condition after he was shot at close range, allegedly by a police officer, during a drug raid that was conducted at his house in Ikhutseng, Warrenton, during the early hours of yesterday morning.
Family members of 29-yearold Johannes Lukang, who was shot during the raid, also claimed that they suffered brutality at the hands of the police. They were allegedly threatened with firearms, assaulted and manhandled.
“We are worried that Johannes will not make it,” a family member said. “We were never informed that he had been taken to hospital in Kimberley nor given an update on his condition.”
They believed that the raid must have been a mistake, as there were never any drugs on the premises.
“Nothing was found after searching the property twice . . . without a search warrant.”
Lukang’s younger brother, Tshepang Lukang, 21, said that he was getting ready to go to school when the police barged into their shanty, which they shared with another sibling, Lebogang Lukang, 22.
“Lebogang asked the police if they had a search warrant when they grabbed him around the neck. He was injured when they struck him over the head. They stepped on him with their boots after he fell to the ground. They then arrested him. One police officer also pointed a firearm at me and I was afraid that I would be shot.”
He added that he was extremely traumatised after seeing his elder brother being shot.
“The bullet penetrated Johannes’ back and exited through his chest. There was not a lot of blood so we are worried that he suffered internal injuries.”
Their sister, Lerato Lukang, also claimed that she was assaulted by the police while their mother, Gladys Lukang, said that she was choked and assaulted.
Neighbour Kelly Boane, who witnessed the incident, said that Johannes came out of his shanty at the back of the house to assist his brothers when two police officers approached him.
“Johannes was carrying a knife behind his back. One police officer tried to grab him, but slipped in the mud.
“A second police officer then shot him in the back. Everyone was under the impression that he was dead because his eyes were closed although his fingers were still moving. He appeared to be unconscious and was unable to speak or cry out in pain.”
She added that Lebogang was not wearing any trousers when the police allegedly attacked him as he was asleep when they arrived at the house.
“His mother had to help dress him following the assault. He sustained serious injuries to his head and was not provided with any medical assistance.
“He was kept in the back of the police van for at least two hours.”
Boane added that the police also throttled Gladys when she came outside after hearing the gunshot.
“They pushed her against the shanty and then shoved her against the wire fence.”
Neighbours indicated that it took 45 minutes for the ambulance to arrive at the scene.
“A passers-by managed to flag down an ambulance that happened to be driving around in the area. The police never bothered to call for help.
“Johannes is a good man, he was released on parole about two months ago and was working at the potato farm. He never touched a drop of alcohol and did not attend any parties or frequent the taverns following his release from prison.
“He was getting his life back on track – he even reads the Bible to our children. He is not a violent person and he does not use drugs. It was not necessary to make use of such brute force.”
They added that another police officer returned to the house, on his own, and claimed that he had found a packet containing tablets buried under the soil.
“This is while there was no dirt on his hands and he was not wearing any gloves. No holes were dug and the sniffer dogs were unable to locate any drugs.”
The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate for investigation.
Police spokesperson, Captain Sergio Kock, confirmed that the police were investigating alleged drug sales at a residence in Ikhutseng yesterday morning at about 7am.
“It is alleged that the owner of the shanty stormed at the police with a knife and was shot and injured during the incident.”
According to the police they found 25 bags of tik with an estimated street value of about R2 500 inside the shanty.
“A suspect is currently in hospital under police guard.”