Two Policemen to appear in court for January killing of Mothutlung protesters

Two Warrant Officers, aged 44 and 43 years old, will appear at the Brits Magistrates Court on 24 October 2014 for the alleged shooting and killing 3 protesters in Mothutlung, North West in January 2014. The suspects were based at the Klipgat Satellite Police Station, attached to the Rustenburg Public Order Policing Unit. It is alleged that in January 2014, there was a service delivery protest in Mothutlung, near Brits, regarding the lack of water and that there was a stand-off between the police and the protesters. It is alleged that the police shot at the protesters and as a result, three people died, and others were injured.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) investigated the matter in line with its legislative mandate and made recommendations to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) that the two policemen be prosecuted. The deceased were Michael “Bra Mike” Tshele, Osiah Rabobe and Enoch Semela.

The DPP has decided that the policemen should face 3 counts of murder, 3 counts of attempted murder, one count of illegal possession of unlicensed ammunition and one count of pointing of a firearm.

Issued by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate

For enquiries:
IPID National Spokesman
Moses Dlamini
082 809 1927 / 082 781 7112
mdlamini@ipid.gov.za