Facebook update behind bars

Police launch probe into prisoner’s online activity

‘

Such is thug life. Everything will be

okay. Hang in there, my friend

APOLICE probe is under way to find out how a series of Facebook posts appeared on a Port Elizabeth prisoner’s online profile. Lwando Shekemer, 25, who was arrested last week for being involved in a shootout with two police officers in Zwide, had his Facebook profile updated at the weekend.

This occurred while he was sitting behind bars in the Kwazakhele police station’s holding cells.

Shekemar was arrested after allegedly being involved in a gunfight with Warrant Officer Ewald Els, 40, who was shot in the shoulder, and fellow officer Jakobus Botha, 42, who was shot in his bullet-proof vest.

While in custody, Shekemar’s Facebook page was updated in Xhosa at 6.09pm on Saturday.

“Damn, this thug life is tough,” the post read.

About 22 friends commented, with many writing messages of support.

At 5.30pm on Sunday, a reply to several posts stated: “It was bad guys.”

Gcobisa Taleni commented on a post saying: “But you love it, so don’t complain. You started it, now finish it, love.”

Another friend called Azola Zibha Pita wrote: “... such is thug life. Everything will be okay. Hang in there, my friend. You know, we support you.”

Shekemar’s Facebook profile shows friends in various businesses across Port Elizabeth as well as in Correctional Services.

Two days after Shekemar’s arrest, a police task team tracked down and caught Thembani Mente and Sindile Zila, both 30.

All three appeared in court on Monday and the case was postponed until their bail application on September 18.

This comes only days after police launched an investigation into how, between the three of them, they have been arrested 17 times with cases withdrawn 13 times.

Shekemer had been charged with five crimes ranging from illegal possession of a firearm to rob- bery and murder – all withdrawn between 2011 and this year.

At the time of last week’s shooting, he was on bail for a 2012 armed robbery case.

The murder case against Shekemer stemmed from his arrest after the killing of Constable Siyabulela Mtshekisa, who was shot 12 times in Kwazakhele last year.

Mente also had five cases withdrawn against him between 2006 and this year.

These include arrests for the illegal possession of a firearm, murder, possession of stolen property and armed robbery.

At the time of last week’s shooting, Mente was out on bail in relation to a 2011 murder case and an armed robbery case last year.

He was acquitted in a case relating to the killing of policeman Winston Vencencie in 2007. Four other men were arrested along with Mente and convicted.

Zila has faced three charges, all of which have been withdrawn.

Police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge confirmed yesterday that the investigation into the cases being withdrawn was still under way and another probe had been launched into Shekemar’s Facebook access while in custody.