DURBAN - The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) is investigating the murder of an Abahlali baseMjondolo (AbM) member who was allegedly shot and killed by police while fleeing.
Bongumusa Manqele from Enkanini informal settlement, who was a member of AbM, was shot and killed on Friday.
Police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele said the matter was being investigated by the Ipid. Mbele said the victim confronted police arresting his wife to ask what was going on. Police tried to arrest him too but he fled. The police fired shots towards him from the back, injuring him.
The bullet hit him in the back and exited in front, she added.
“An R5 rifle cartridge and one stun grenade canister were found and the matter is still under investigation.”
AbM leader Sbu Zikode said police used vehicles with no registration numbers and were wearing uniforms with no name tags, which was why residents did not identify them.
“On Friday at about 11pm, a large number of officers arrived at eNkanini Occupation in Cato Crest. The number plates had been removed from their cars, and their faces were masked. They had someone with them, also masked, who took them to particular homes.
“The residents reported that they thought that the officers were not local and that they heard them saying that they had a list of 10 people to arrest.”
He said police broke through the gates and kicked down the door to gain entry. The police also kicked people, demanding they hand over unlicensed firearms which the officers claimed they had; they proceeded to Manqele’s home and found his wife, Thobeka, and arrested her, Zikode said.
He added that Manqele was not in the house at the time of the assault and the arrest. However, when he rushed home, the police allegedly shot him dead.
“Manqele was unarmed,” he said.
The incident sparked violent protests and people blocked roads in Cato Manor and Mayville with burning tyres. Manqele’s killing came after the killing of its Khenana informal settlement leader, Ayanda Ngila, last week.
Daily News