Probe into shooting by cop

Questions over ‘preferential treatment’ after police station incident

POLICE top brass will be investigating if the policeman who allegedly fired a shot at his girlfriend in the Humewood police station car park received preferential treatment after he was driven home rather than being arrested.

This was revealed yesterday when provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga’s office started probing why no action was taken against Detective Constable Jeronomo Blignaut, 28, despite claims he was drinking at a party prior to the shooting.

Blignaut is still at work at Humewood pending the outcome of an internal probe.

The incident happened on Friday night, when he allegedly fired a shot at his girlfriend in the car park before fleeing in a state vehicle.

It has emerged that police watchdog the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) which initially declined to take the case, was given a selective version of what happened – by detectives who work with Blignaut. IPID spokesman Moses Dlamini said they had been contacted by detectives, as required by law, but had been given limited information.

“I have checked with our [provincial] office in East London and the feedback is that the matter was reported as a discharge of an official firearm and the victim did not want to cooperate,” he said.

“Our office will follow up with the victim to determine if she is prepared to give a statement so that this matter can be pursued.”

Port Elizabeth police spokeswoman Colonel Priscilla Naidu said both internal and criminal investigations into use of a state vehicle without permission and firing a firearm were under way.

The docket was sent to the National Prosecuting Authority on Monday but returned for further investigation before it is decided whether or not to prosecute him.

Naidu confirmed that Blignaut’s girlfriend had run into the Community Service Centre, crying and panicked, while Blignaut sped off in an unmarked police car.

The police vehicle was found later in Richmond Hill.

Blignaut was taken in for questioning when he was on his way back to the car, with his colleagues driving him home afterwards.

Naidu said his firearm had been confiscated but officials on the scene had not mentioned anything about him being intoxicated.

Officials said information provided was that the couple had an argument over their private car parked at the police station which they had gone to collect.

Provincial police spokeswoman Brigadier Marinda Mills said an investigation was under way to establish if preferential treatment had been given to Blignaut.

“The Humewood police station commander has launched a probe to ensure that all processes and procedures were followed in terms of SAPS prescripts and policies.”

Station commander Brigadier Leonie Bentley said no information was provided that Blignaut was under the influence or received preferential treatment, Mills said.

No attempted murder charge had been filed as his girlfriend had declined to open a case.