/ 28 January 2014

Bail for officer accused of Durban Deep protester’s murder

The police officer charged with the murder of a Durban Deep protester has been given bail.
The police officer charged with the murder of a Durban Deep protester has been given bail.

A police officer accused of shooting dead a protester was granted bail in the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. The officer, who cannot be named because an identity parade has not been conducted, was granted R5 000 bail.

He is one of four police officers, who were arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of the protester, but is the only one who has been charged with murder. Prosecutor Una van der Schyff said on Monday that charges of defeating the ends of justice were being investigated against three police officers.

Tshepo Babuseng (28) was shot dead, allegedly by a police officer, after residents of Durban Deep, Roodepoort, barricaded roads with stones and burning tyres on Thursday in a protest over a lack of housing. Durban Deep Community spokesperson Anton Mankgabe said afterwards the residents were disappointed that the officer had been granted bail.

"We are frustrated, we did not expect this. All the reasons that were given in court do not make sense," he said.

Mankgabe alleged people saw the officer shoot Babuseng.

"For the sake of peace in the community, he was not supposed to get bail," he said.

Protesters' arrests
Fifteen people were arrested during the protests on Thursday, Gauteng police said at the time

"Police arrested 15 people for public violence. Police had to use rubber bullets to disperse the protesters," Lieutenant Colonel Katlego Mogale said.

 On Friday, about 50 Durban Deep residents marched to the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court for their appearance.

Mogale said Babuseng was shot and killed by a police officer driving an unmarked vehicle.

"The police officer was driving through Durban Deep and was stopped by protesters who started shaking his vehicle. The officer fired warning shots and one protester was hit."

"The member, a warrant officer, allegedly fired warning shots. One of the protesters was injured and was certified dead at the hospital." The protest started around 6am on Main Reef road on Thursday. Mogale said protesters were burning tree trunks and throwing stones at vehicles. A section of the road was closed, but later reopened.

A case of public violence was opened and the shooting was being investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate. – Sapa