A 31-year-old man is expected to appear before the Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 22 February 2021, after he allegedly shot at his 24-year-old friend who later succumbed to the gunshot wound in hospital.
This incident happened on 20 February 2021, at approximately 14:00, at Clewer near Witbank, where the pair had attended a funeral. It was reported that after the said funeral, the duo are alleged to have had a hair-raising argument that led to the fatal shooting. Immediately after the incident, the suspect is said to have transported the victim in his vehicle and then handed him over to the paramedics who were at the vicinity of a shopping complex in the area, then vanished thereafter.
On 21 February 2021, the suspect handed himself over to the police and also brought with him the firearm believed to have been used in the murder. The firearm was then booked in as an exhibit.
Spiralling from the funeral of the suspect’s friend, the police have since gathered that certain community members behaved unruly, thus conflicting with the Lockdown Regulations by conducting an after tears event, spinning cars and not wearing masks, nor practiced social distancing.
The community also did not want to heed to the call by police when they were urged to stop with their activities and this is a worrying factor as their conduct was depicting a degree of lawlessness and danger. A police officer who tried to engage with the community regarding their actions, was manhandled around and vulgar words used against him for carrying out his duties. As if that was not obscene enough, some police vehicles were also pelted with beer bottles at the same event.
Police in Mpumalanga warn the community to abide by the prescripts of the law as at this level, no one is permitted to conduct an after tears event nor parties. The community is further warned not to obstruct police from doing their work. The same point is driven home to Liquor outlets owners to strictly adhere to the Lockdown Regulations.
