Cops arrested for TUT student’s death

A police captain and a constable are expected in the dock at the Soshanguve Magistrate’s Court today for allegedly using R-5 rifles during a student protest in which Tshwane University of Technology student Katlego Monareng was killed.

The arrest yesterday came after weeks of investigation into the use of live ammunition by police when violence and protests broke out during the student representative council elections at the Soshanguve campus in August.

Monareng, a third level paralegal student, died on his way to hospital after police opened fire on the students.

His death resulted in unrest at the university which had to shut its doors for close to two months as angry students demanded an arrest.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) pounced on the two officers early yesterday. Police initially denied firing at the students, instead claiming to have fired shots into the ground.

“After our investigation, which we expect to be concluded by October 31, the suspects will appear on charges of murder,” said Ipid spokesperson Moses Dlamini.

Phindi Mjonondwana National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson