The grieving family of Samantha Radebe (29) who was tragically killed during a shootout between police and a suspect in Alexandra on 15 January, wants to see justice prevail and those found guilty behind bars.
Speaking to the media following police minister Bheki Cele’s visit to Radebe’s home, the family spokesperson Morena Mathane said, “The family is still in shock, we really appreciate the minister’s visit as a family. All that the family want is to see justice being served. We will wait and see as the investigation process unfolds. We cannot judge anyone until the investigation process is finalised.”
Addressing community members outside Radebe’s home, Cele who was accompanied by his deputy Cassel Mathale and MEC for Community Safety in the province, Faith Mazibuko said the case had been handed over to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) for investigation.
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Cele had earlier convened a meeting with Alexandra Police Station management and community leaders and told members of the community that the officers involved in the shooting would not be suspended until a ballistic investigation by Ipid had been finalised.
“We came here as government officials to meet and mourn with the grieving family,” he said. “We held a meeting earlier on with Ipid, SAPS and community leaders before coming here [to the family home]. We’ve agreed that the case does not belong to SAPS but to Ipid because our own police officers are also suspected in the case and we cannot investigate ourselves.
“The family and community have requested an update on the matter and I promised them that the head of Ipid will update the family on what happened. The law will have to take its course after the investigation is finalised, no matter who did what. I have also requested the investigation team to speed up the process so that the family get to know what happened.”
He urged community members to remain calm, refrain from speculation and allow the investigation team to do its work. The memorial service for Radebe will be held on 23 January at East Bank Hall at 4pm.
