Ipid confiscates officers’ firearms after deadly Walmer shooting
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) confirmed it has confiscated the service firearms of two police officers who allegedly shot dead a Walmer Township resident last month.
They said this was in line with standard procedures.
Vuyolwethu Ndokweni, 26, was gunned down after a chase to the airport precinct during a late-night drive from the township with a friend on Saturday April 29.
The two had planned to buy petrol at a garage when police tried to pull them over.
However, Ndokweni, who was allegedly driving under the influence, sped up to try to evade them, fearful of losing his job at a local courier company as the sole breadwinner in a family of six.
Backup arrived, with private security also responding, before multiple shots were fired at his VW Polo hatchback.
Ndokweni sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the back of his head, with a second round striking him near the top of his right shoulder. His friend was unharmed during the incident.
Rocked by Ndokweni’s alleged killing at the hands of “trigger-happy” police officers, about 200 community members, including pupils, staged a tense protest outside the Walmer police station on May 4, two days before his funeral.
The enraged residents demanded the two officers be arrested and charged.
One week later, on May 10, Ipid investigators visited the community as the two officers involved continued to carry out their duties.
Briefing residents at the Walmer Community Hall, where a memorial service was held for the slain soccer player on the same day as the protest, Ipid said the officers were relieved of their firearms amid the ongoing probe.
“It is standard procedure for [police] firearms involved in shootings [which are under investigation] to be handed over for ballistic testing,” acting Ipid spokesperson Robbie Raburabu said yesterday.
He said investigations into the incident were at a sensitive stage and that the SA Police Service (SAPS) was within its rights to suspend an officer under investigation.
“It is difficult at this stage to provide feedback without compromising the investigation.
“Ipid is requesting space. “At this stage, Ipid hasn’t made any punitive recommendations against the members.
“We will only do so when the investigation concludes.
“The SAPS, however, can [run its internal] process should there be enough information [to warrant it],” Raburabu said.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu confirmed the officers were still on duty while SAPS senior management awaited Ipid’s recommendations.
“We’re still waiting for the report, but we cannot preempt its handover.
“Investigations [often] take time,” Naidu said.
She said the officers stationed at Walmer police station had not opted to take voluntary leave.
Lamleli, Ndokweni’s father, said the family were impatiently awaiting an update regarding the investigation.
“We’re still waiting to learn the truth about what happened that fateful night.
“We merely want the truth,” he said.