Cape Town — Multiple JMPD officers have been suspended after an autopsy report revealed Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) councillor, Moshe Mphalele, was killed by rubber bullets and live ammunition.
He was tragically shot and killed during a community protest in Alexandra after he tried to mediate engagements between law enforcement and the homeless people in the area.
The shocking nature of his death led to an urgent enquiry and Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety, Mgcini Tshwaku, reported that incident statements said that private security had thrown stun grenades, according to EWN.
He said JMPD officers stood behind the security and allowed the shootings to occur. Five to 10 individuals sustained injuries, two were shot with live ammunition, which included Mphalele.
🚨HAPPENING NOW🚨
Public Safety MMC,@MTshwaku has announced the suspension of the JMP officers who were present at the scene when Cllr Moshe Mphahlele was tragically shot during a community protest in Alexandra.#RIPMosheMphahlele #ManjeNamhlanje pic.twitter.com/Z6ICrkTNw3
— COJ People’s MMC Public Safety (@PublicSafetyMMC) August 8, 2024
The aftermath of the incident resulted in the suspension of several JMPD officers but Tshwaku could not provide an exact number. He said there was a negligence and a lack of accountability from JMPD and it was not clear yet as to why they allowed private security to take charge and use excessive force, The Citizen reported.
He said the officers have handed their weapons to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) for ballistic testing.
“We need to check where the shots came from because the statements that have been put forward is that the community were firing shots at the police,” he said,
He questioned why there were no casualties on both sides and assured the residents that the city would pursue all leads.
The EFF condemned the tragic incident and described Mphahlele as a dedicated community activist who sought to improve the lives of people living in Johannesburg and the Alexandra community.
“The organisation has deployed its structures to support the family. We call for calm and discipline among our members and the public as we seek justice,” the EFF said.
We had the honour of paying tribute to Fighter Moshe Mphahlele, EFF Johannesburg Region’s Deputy Secretary and Councillor who was killed fighting for the right to housing by the homeless people of Alexandra. May his fighting spirit reignite activism amongst all Fighters. pic.twitter.com/fkDgKfBi2s
— Floyd Shivambu (@FloydShivambu) August 7, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
