Makapanstaad suspect allegedly kills himself with cop’s gun

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is investigating what it called “the worse case of police negligence it has ever seen”, after a suspected thief apparently shot himself in the face using an unattended police firearm in Makapanstad, in North West Province. 

Two police officers arrested the 28-year-old man on charges of theft and housebreaking over the weekend.

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According to Grace Langa, IPID spokesperson, both officers allegedly left the suspect unattended in the holding area, with one hand handcuffed to a chair. The first police officer left to go to the shop, while the other went to see their supervisor.

It’s believed the police officer who went to the shop left his bag unattended on the table near the suspect. The suspect then allegedly searched the bag with his free hand, found a police firearm and shot himself between the ear and eye. 

He died instantly on the scene. 

The officer who stayed behind claims that he didn’t know there was a gun in the bag.

Langa says IPID investigators who visited the station on Saturday expressed their shock, saying it was the worst negligence they had ever come across in their careers.

The officer who left his bag with the suspect has been charged with the negligent handling of a firearm.

They’re also being internally disciplined for not cuffing both hands and leaving the suspect unattended without a guard.

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