Murder accused cop’s ‘chilling Facebook posts’
● Former provincial anti-gang unit member’s alleged comments years ago about abuse of power and ‘shooting targets’ come to light
Despite being a seasoned police officer and recent nominee at the provincial police excellence awards, murder accused Luzuko Majoka has allegedly displayed signs of a propensity for violence for more than a decade.
Yesterday, the New Brighton Magistrate’s Court heard damning evidence against the former provincial anti-gang unit member, who is accused of the premeditated murder of his former girlfriend, Nolubabalo Hanise.
Hanise, 24, was shot and killed on December 12 at the Pikkewyn flats in Algoa Park.
During Majoka’s formal bail application, the state tendered evidence that he’d had no qualms about abusing his powers as a law enforcement officer since joining the SAPS in 2012.
Facebook posts read into the record by state prosecutor Candice Thysse left members of the public gallery aghast after stating that Majoka wanted to use a woman as target practice.
In one post dated October 29 2012, Majoka allegedly said: “That strange feeling you get when your job requires you to kill a person and I kind of like it.”
On April 9 2013, Majoka posted: “Abuse of power. Something I don’t mind doing just to prove a point.”
In another post on March 4 2015, he allegedly said: “I wanted to use this dumba** b*tch as a shooting target.”
He also allegedly admitted that he had assaulted a suspect in another case and that he had no issue with taking the law into his own hands.
Further incriminating evidence from the investigating officer in the matter, Anathi Nondwangu, of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), cast a shadow over Majoka, who was nominated for medium risk member of the year at the annual police excellence awards on December 7 — five days before Hanise was killed.
Nondwangu said during interviews with witnesses and Hanise’s family it emerged that Majoka had allegedly been abusive towards Hanise on several occasions.
At the time of the incident, Majoka had allegedly accused Hanise of having an affair, which led to the couple arguing. Nondwangu said Majoka had video-called the person he suspected Hanise had been cheating with.
The man, who has not been named in court, said he had then called Hanise’s family and advised them to go to her as she was in trouble.
Nondwangu said the call was made at about 5pm.
By 7pm, Hanise’s body was already lying in the living room.
Nondwangu said witnesses had told him they had heard sounds of fighting coming from the flat and that at one stage the next-door neighbour heard what was described as a cricket bat hitting something.
During the commotion, it is alleged Hanise ran onto the balcony and shouted for help before she was grabbed and pulled back inside.
Nondwangu said after allegedly shooting Hanise, who died from a single gunshot wound to the head, Majoka allegedly gave the name and number of his commanding officer, written on a piece of paper, to neighbours and told them to call him.
Some time after that the commanding officer arrived.
Majoka then allegedly told his superior that he was suicidal.
After the brief conversation, Majoka then told his commander that he was going to lock himself in his room with the firearm he had allegedly used to shoot Hanise.
Negotiators were then called and the situation was defused.
Following interviews with Hanise’s family members, Nondwangu said he was able to establish that it was allegedly
not the first time Majoka had shown abusive tendencies towards her.
“According to their statements, Majoka did not take kindly to being dumped,” Nondwangu said.
Citing a previous incident, Nondwangu said he had been informed of a situation where Majoka had gone to the Hanise family home and demanded to see her.
According to Nondwangu, the padlock to the property had been cut with bolt cutters.
When the family went to report the matter at the Kwazakhele police station, they were allegedly told that it was a petty crime which did not require a docket being opened.
Three days later, Majoka’s commander called the family and informed them that Majoka would be reprimanded.
“It is not a shock to me that high-ranking officials are [allegedly] protecting their own,” Nondwangu said.
Prior to the state leading evidence against Majoka, his lawyer, Bongo Mvinjelwa, read into the record an affidavit penned by his client in his application for bail.
Majoka admitted that he had a previous conviction for contempt of court for failure to appear in court as a witness in a separate matter.
Majoka claimed he had excused himself for the 2016 matter without the permission of the court as he had needed to rest after a long night shift.
However, he failed to tell the court that he was still under investigation in another matter for the alleged assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm while performing official police duties.
Nondwangu said he would strongly oppose bail because of Majoka’s history which showed disregard for courts and the propensity to influence or intimidate witnesses.
After the lunch adjournment when Mvinjelwa was meant to cross-examine Nondwangu, Majoka did an aboutturn and confirmed to the court that he wished to abandon his bail application without giving reasons.
Speaking after the court adjourned, Hanise’s brother, Nkrumah, said he and his family were happy with the outcome of the day’s proceedings.
“We are happy with the outcome and we are not moved by the fact that he is being kept at North End prison.
“What we want now is to get more people behind this case.
“More needs to be done to combat gender-based violence and femicide.
“We need to mobilise as many people as possible,” he said.
The case was postponed by agreement to March 26 for further investigation.