Shooting victim cries foul as cops not found guilty

Senior prosecutor’s on the case: NPA

A Krugersdorp man has lodged a complaint with the National Prosecuting Authority alleging that prosecutors who handled his case failed to present crucial evidence that could have led to the conviction of two police officers. Sydney Obinna, 36, was allegedly shot by warrant officers Abraham Venter and Diphoko Sehume in Krugersdorp and robbed of R10 000 in 2015.

The two policemen attached to the Krugersdorp K9 Unit were found not guilty in the Kagiso regional court in September.

They were facing charges of attempted murder, defeating the ends of justice, armed robbery, theft and malicious damage to property.

The pair allegedly shot Obinna five times in the arm and legs for refusing to give them his money.

They had stopped Obinna on Luipaard Street in Krugersdorp and asked to see his asylum documents. Their focus allegedly shifted from the documents to Obinna’s money after seeing the wad of bank notes in his wallet.

They were found not guilty despite there being CCTV footage of the shooting, photos and a J88 form detailing the nature of Obinna’s injuries. Obinna has approached the NPA to look into the conduct of three prosecutors who allegedly failed to present evidence before court.

NPA spokesperson Abrama Mohlatlole said the matter was being handled by the Krugersdorp senior public prosecutor. “During the trial I was told by the prosecutor that my J88 form and CCTV footage were not attached in the docket. “I asked him why, because it was the main evidence which should be used to prove my case but the prosecutor failed to answer me,” Obinna said. “Before the case was concluded, I went to the prosecutor. It was frustrating because even the investigating officer from Ipid [Independent Police Investigative Directorate] testified that he got a call regarding a shooting and that he watched the CCTV footage and saw me being shot. He also testified that he came to see me personally while I was at Leratong Hospital,” Obinna added.

Ipid’s spokesperson Moses Dlamini confirmed that they investigated the matter but referred all queries to the NPA. Obinna said after being shot at, the officers allegedly proceeded to his house and ransacked it. Obinna’s wife, Lesego Lesomo, said: “If this happened to a South African, the case would not have taken long to conclude and the trial would have been fair.

“Now I have to sleep with one eye open because they are threatening my husband and we have a one-year-old daughter.”