Cops storm after-tears, two shot dead
‘My grandsons were law-abiding’
A Mpumalanga grandfather has accused police of shooting and killing his two “innocent” grandsons.
This came after Sibusiso Monareng and Bongani Nkophe were fatally wounded during an “after-tears” party in Marite, Bushbuckridge, on Saturday.
After-tears are parties held after a burial. Such gatherings have been outlawed according to lockdown regulations, underwhich alcohol sales have also been banned.
Police said revellers opened fire at them, prompting them to shoot back.
Monareng and Nkophe’s grandfather Walter Mndawe told Sowetan yesterday that his grandchildren were lawabiding citizens.
“My heart is very sore. They killed my grandchildren and labelled them criminals. That is wrong; what we know as a family these boys were lawabiding citizens. None of them owned a gun but police are saying guns were found in their possession,” said Mndawe.
“My grandchildren were borrowed a Mercedes Benz Vito to attend the funeral. They gave lift to other people who were wanted by the police.
“So when the police came, they shot at the wrong people, my harmless grandchildren.
“It’s even a lie that they were shot at a soccer field. They were shot in the street and were going home,” said Mndawe.
Community members who spoke to Sowetan on condition of anonymity said though there were gunshots and spinning of cars after the funeral, “the two dead men were not criminals”.
“In this community, we know there are gangs. Some call themselves Team Ellesse and the other is Team Kappa. These boys who were killed were harmless young men who didn’t bother the public,” said one community member.
The community members said wearing Ellesse or Kappa clothing meant you belonged to a certain gang in Marite.
According to police, following the funeral of a man who was killed during a suspected stock theft incident, the funeral attendees held an aftertears party at a soccer field. Spokesperson Brig Leonard Hlathi said police were fired at when they arrived at the scene. “It happened when a group of lawless individuals held an after-tears party in which more illegal activities such as vehicle spinning as well as firing of shots randomly took place.
“Police were alerted and they responded immediately. However upon arrival, the suspects fired shots at them injuring two [officers],” Hlathi said.
“They (police) then retaliated, fatally shot two of the suspects and injured another. One of the two suspects who were fatally wounded, was found to be in possession of an unlicensed firearm. During the commotion, police arrested 11 suspects and recovered live ammunition as well.
Hlathi said of the 11, one was in hospital due to injuries he sustained during the shootout.
Police have opened two cases of attempted murder, malicious damage to property and illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.
“We are aware of the gangs that are operating in that community. All of this forms part of the investigation. We have forwarded the cases of the two men (who died) to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid).
“We are investigating a murder case involving the man whom these people were burying.”
The suspects are expected to appear in the Calcutta magistrate’s court today.
Ipid spokesperson, Ndileka Cola confirmed that they were investigating the two deaths.