No bail for road rage shooting accused
ASAD Haniff Ramjan will spend the festive season behind bars.
On November 13, Ramjan allegedly shot and killed Constable Thabani Gwala during a road rage incident in Oribi Road, Pietermaritzburg.
On Friday, the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court denied bail to Ramjan, 29, an employee at a local gun shop.
Gwala, 35, of KwaSwayimane, was a member of the Public Order Policing Unit based at the Alexandra Police Station.
Ramjan was arrested at the scene and charged with murder.
The State opposed his bail, citing concerns about the safety of witnesses and Ramjan’s safety.
Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo said the matter was adjourned to January.
According to a police source, it was alleged that at the time of the incident, Gwala, who was off duty, was travelling in a VW Polo and Ramjan in a Toyota Run-X
The source alleged that it was a road rage incident and said that at some point both men jumped out of their vehicles and a fight ensued.
In a recent statement, the Police Ministry said it was appalled by the rampant killing of the country’s police officers. It said in the past seven months the SAPS had lost 78 police officers to criminal attacks and ambushes.
Bheki Cele, the Minister of Police, said about 10 police officers had been killed every month since April, all at the hands of criminals.
“These criminals are daring to take on the police. This is why I will forever call on the police to fight fire with fire, especially when their lives are threatened. No officer must ever die with a weapon in their hands.”