The man shot dead by police at former president Nelson Mandela’s Cape Town home was a former SA National Defence Force member, Cabinet ministers said on Wednesday.
He was relieved of his duty earlier this year, the cluster of security ministers said in a statement.
”The man has been identified as an ex-SANDF member whose state of mind the SANDF had been concerned about.”
The ministers said the SANDF had been searching for the deceased in connection with the theft of military weapons — one of which had been recovered at the scene of the shooting.
Cabinet’s security cluster comprises the ministers of Defence (Mosiuoa Lekota), of Safety and Security (Charles Nqakula) and of Intelligence (Lindiwe Sisulu).
In their statement they said three men in a red Uno stopped outside President Mandela’s home around 4pm on Tuesday.
They asked to see the former Archbishop Desmond Tutu or his successor Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane.
”The men indicated that they had some material about the forthcoming elections. Upon being denied access the men refused to leave the scene,” the statement said.
The police on duty called for assistance and were reinforced by three members from the Rondebosch police station. According to the statement, the police explained to the men it would not be possible for them to see either President Mandela or the two Archbishops.
”The police requested them to give an idea of what the problem was. The deceased then proceeded to the boot of their car, ostensibly to fetch the material he wanted to show the former president,” said the statement.
”Instead he drew a heavy calibre weapon taking up a threatening position against the police that lead to a confrontation and him being fatally wounded.”
His name would be withheld until his next-of-kin had been notified. The other two men were arrested and were still in custody. Police were continuing their investigation, assisted by the intelligence agencies. It was hoped the case would be concluded soon.
”The Ministers are satisfied that the police acted correctly and with the necessary firmness the situation demanded.”
They added:”We would like to assure the public that this was an isolated incident that has no bearing on the elections nor will it threaten stability of the forthcoming elections.” – Sapa