Masoyi officer’s family in Numbi blames police for his death
The family said they do not understand why only two police officers were dispatched to a robbery in the middle of the night, even though it was reported that the suspects were armed and using explosives.
Sergeant Vusi Elvis Siwela (38) always told his family his job was dangerous and that he might not return home someday. That day was Monday August 21.With this forewarning in mind, his family is still in a state of shock, and said the state has failed them. They blame the state for his death.
Siwela was fatally shot by unknown suspects on Monday morning.
A provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, said the Masoyi Police Station had responded to a call when a supermarket in Chochocho Village had been broken into by armed suspects. Siwela and a colleague rushed to the scene and straight into a hail of bullets. Both members were shot. Siwela succumbed to his gunshot wounds. Sergeant Thandazile Khoza sustained injuries and is currently recovering in Mediclinic Nelspruit.
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Siwela’s sister, Patricia, said he was the only one taking care of the family after their parents had passed away 10 years ago. She said she still does not understand why they sent only two officers to the burglary when it was reported that an armed gang was using explosives.
“As a family, we don’t understand his passing, and it’s going to take time to have closure now that he’s gone. He was sent straight into the den of vultures and they devoured his life. We want to know why only two members were sent to the armed robbery in the middle of the night, knowing that the area is very dangerous. We believe that if they had sent at least two police vans to the scene, they were not going to attack them,” she said.
Patricia said the family appreciates the time they spent with Vusi, as he was the pillar of the family after they lost their parents. She described him as a loving person who took care of his siblings without complaining and was always willing to help them where he could. He filled the gap after they lost their parents and played a vital role in their lives. He loved his job as a police officer, despite knowing it could cost him his life.
Vusi is survived by his wife, two girls, and an 11-month-old boy, as well as his three sisters and two brothers. The funeral will be at his home village in Salubindza in the Numbi area on Saturday August 26.
No one has been arrested as yet.
