Blue-light cop charged with six attempted murders
The blue-light VIP driver whose passenger allegedly shot a vehicle’s tyre near Pietermaritzburg has been charged with six attempted murders.
His passenger, South African Police Service (SAPS) Constable Hlanganani Nxumalo (29), allegedly caused an accident in which six people were injured on November 15.
Nxumalo allegedly shot a Mazda’s tyre, causing the vehicle to swerve across the N3 highway and collide with an oncoming vehicle.
The driver, SAPS Constable Caiphas Xolani Ndlela (36) appeared with Nxumalo in the Pietermaritzburg Regional Court on Thursday.
Ndlela was also charged with reckless or negligent driving.
Regional Magistrate Chris van Vuuren adjourned the case to August 25 to allow the accused’s lawyer to obtain statements from state witnesses.
The lawyer said that Ndlela is charged with the attempted murders because he put Nxumalo in a position to shoot at the vehicle.
Soon after the incident, a witness said the vehicle was shot at because its driver was not able to move out of the way of the police car.
When the driver did move into the left lane the escort car drew level with it. Nxumalo then allegedly fired two shots, puncturing a tyre and causing the vehicle to swerve into oncoming traffic where it collided head-on with an approaching vehicle.
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Nxumalo is out on bail but Ndlela has been released on his own recognisance. - Sapa
