MBOMBELA – The police in Mpumalanga dismiss claims that their members shot an 18-year-old boy from Barberton, yesterday.
This comes after rumours making rounds on social media that police were involved in the shooting incident in the wake of ongoing protests in Baberton.
According to them, the rumours will instigate anger in the community and the country with a view to lessen trust between the police as well as the community.
“To set the record straight, on the day the victim was with a group of friends and one of them had a firearm in his possession. The firearm allegedly went off and shot the victim in the upper body. Police were then notified about the incident, rushed to the scene and medical personnel were summoned where the young man was. He was unfortunately certified dead on the scene. A case of murder was immediately opened and the firearm was seized,” the statement read.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the 18-year-old suspect was the one who allegedly pulled the trigger. The firearm was stolen from a police officer during a hijacking incident at Masoyi in January. The investigation is underway and police are still searching for the suspects in connection with the hijacking. The motive for the shooting is unknown at this stage, however, the suspect was arrested.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Barberton Magistrate’s Court today facing a murder case.
