Family puzzled why brother’s shooter not charged with murder after he died
His death certificate states he died due to natural causes.
The family of a Mamelodi man who died three months after he was allegedly shot by a friend are demanding he be charged with murder.
But police have declared Vincent Maropeng Monamo (30) died of natural causes on June 5, three months after the shooting.
Speaking to Record, brother Thomas (25) of Ikageng X3, Mamelodi East, said Vincent was shot on March 3 and died three months later, allegedly due to internal bleeding, which the family believes is linked to the shooting.
“Immediately after the shooting, my brother was able to run home and we were able to rush him to hospital,” Thomas said.
“Five days later he was discharged and was able to open a case at the Mamelodi East police station accompanied by our elder brother.”
Thomas said that, while Vincent was in pain, he was able to give police the name and address of the shooter.
According to Thomas, Vincent claimed to have been shot by a friend over an argument they had about an appliance remote.
“My brother was shot at Ikageng Community Park after he got into a fight and slapped the shooter.”
The incident was corroborated by neighbour Khabo Masanabo (45) who said Vincent came home running, claiming to have been shot in the upper body.
“Vincent was in and out of the hospital after the shooting until he met his death due to internal bleeding,” said Masanabo.
Masanabo said the community was offended by the failure of the police to upgrade the charge from attempted murder to murder.
However, according to police spokesperson Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk, Vincent’s death certificate listed the cause as natural.
“His death, therefore, cannot be linked to the first incident of attempted murder,” Van Dyk told Record.
Van Dyk disputed the claim that Vincent had a personal relationship with his shooter but confirmed he did give the names of the suspects.
He said the address of only one was established.
“But the suspect was no longer staying at the said address.
“Witnesses were interviewed but no information about the suspect’s whereabouts came to light. The victim was then informed to call the investigating officer if any new information surfaced.”
Following the family’s and community’s concerns, Van Dyk confirmed that the investigating officer had been tasked with revisiting the victim’s brother for new information.
Vincent was laid to rest on June 15.
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