A teen lies dead, and with him the image of our police

SA must hang its head in shame over the shooting of 16-year-old Nathaniel Julies in Eldorado Park, Johannesburg, on Wednesday. A country in which police officers can kill a mentally impaired teenager who was armed with nothing but a packet of biscuits is a sure sign of a failed state. Two officers have been arrested and the pressure is now on the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) to determine exactly what happened that made one of those officers feel he had to fire at the boy, who had Down syndrome and could not communicate well. A plausible explanation is difficult to imagine.

Premier David Makhura said Nathaniel was killed in crossfire between police officers and gang members. He said the shooting happened after police received a tip-off about stolen car parts in the area.

But community members tell a different story. They claim the killing was unprovoked and have accused police of trying to cover it up. Witnesses have told how they saw police drag Nathaniel to their van “like a piece of rubbish”.

The incident has sparked violent protests in the area. On Thursday at least three officers were injured after police came under attack by angry residents. The local police station and vehicles were attacked and the public order policing unit was called in to disperse the crowds blocking some roads in the area.

News of the incident has travelled around the world. Singer Solange Knowles tweeted her 4-million followers about it. The Wall Street Journal has written about it, reminding its readers that SA has among the highest levels of violent crime in the world and a large number of killings by police each year.

According to Corruption Watch, 10 deaths as a result of police action were reported to Ipid between March 26 and May 5. It says an increase in the duties placed upon police, who receive little training or guidance, has led to mounting allegations of wrongdoing against them.

It is vital the Ipid probe is thorough, timely and transparent and that Nathaniel’s family — and the rest of SA — see that justice is done.