Cop gets 10 years for shooting protestor

THE police constable who was found guilty of killing teenager, Nqobile Nzuza during the 2013 housing protests in Cato Manor, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by magistrate Anand Maharaj at the Durban Region Court on Monday.

Spokesperson for the Abahlali baseMjondolo Movement SA said members had arrived “in their numbers” at the court on Monday to witness Constable Phumlani Ndlovu’s sentencing.  The movement said it welcomed the sentencing, but that it did not feel it paid proper respect to the life of Nqobile.

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Expert evidence presented during the trial showed that the bullet that killed the young girl who was shot in the back as she was running away, had come from Ndlovu’s gun.

Ndlovu was granted leave to appeal both his conviction and sentence. Application to extend his bail, pending the appeal, was dismissed.

“The police officer does not show any remorse and he maintained his innocence even though ballistic results proved that that it was his gun that shot Nqobile from behind.” said Thapelo Mohapi, of Abahlali base Mjondolo.

“We hope that the sentencing of this police officer will send a clear message to all hooligan police officers who see shack dwellers as criminals who are supposed to be shot at. Police officers must understand that if they accept to work for the politicians against the people they will not be protected. Justice may be slow but when there is a powerful movement, justice will come. This conviction and sentence will be celebrated by all the progressive movements struggling for the dignity of the impoverished,” he said.

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