The charges against Mduduzi Mfundisi Nzuza and Sam Baloyi, the police officers accused of mistakenly shooting musician Khulane Morule, better known as Khuli Chana, has been withdrawn by prosecution.
Morule was shot after being mistaken for a suspected kidnapper in Midrand on 28 October, 2013.
The two police constables were facing charges of failure to take reasonable precautions to avoid danger, negligent use of a firearm, reckless endangerment and attempted murder.
Senior State prosecutor for the National Prosecuting Authority, Pieter Erasmus, continued to reveal that the State will follow an alternative dispute resolution process in relation to both of the accused, which will be done in line with the suggestions made by defence attorney Thumelo Thomas to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)
Thomas had no objections to the prosecution’s withdrawal request.
In a press conference outside of the courts, accused officer Nzuza made the following statement on behalf of himself, fellow accused Baloyi and the South African Police Service (SAPS):
“We apologise to Khuli Chana. We are sorry that he was injured in a case of mistaken identity. Thank you.”
Morule responded by saying he’s been having sleepless nights over the shooting, as well as the trial. “I’m just happy that all of this is finally over and I can now just move on with my life.”
Attorneys for Morule did allude to an off the record settlement currently being negotiated between Morule and South African Police, but the final figures have not been set and could not be commented on.
Morule, who currently resides in Radiokop, Roodepoort North, concluded his statement by saying: “I know not all cops are bad,” before he shook hands with both Nzuza and Baloyi, and hugged both of them.
