A male (39) was found dead after allegedly ingesting drugs outside Entrance 3 at Northgate Shopping Centre parking lot on 4 March (see previous story.)
Reports flooded through that there was a shoot-out at Northgate Shopping Centre. It then transpired, according to JMPD spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar, ”JMPD officers stopped a suspicious vehicle near Northgate, before 8pm. It is alleged that drugs were found inside the vehicle.”
Hordes of onlookers flooded to the shopping centre in order to show support for the deceased.
According to the uncle of the deceased, Andy Emmanuel, ”My nephew has passed away today due to the bias nature of the police, his name is Chukwudi Innocent Nwome, he came to this country in August 2006.”
Other family members and friends alleged, ”Metro stopped him and then took him to his home in Cosmo City. The two men then put a white plastic bag over his head to torture him. He then suffocated and the two men left his body outside the mall.”
Chief Supt Minnaar released, ”The driver jumped out and ran inside the mall. It is also alleged that he swallowed the drugs which he had on him and dropped dead.” Numerous security entities were on scene, namely Londoloza Northgate’s security, SOS Protec Sure . They aided in keeping the peace when it was evident that the crowd was growing substantially. Londoloza stayed behind after the officials left to ensure the safety of the centre.
The mortuary hearse arrived to remove the body and, along with the undercover vehicle which was involved in the incident, got escorted out by SOS Protec Sure, SAPS and JMPD.
Northgate marketing manager Natalie Berkhout stated, ”The centre management of Northgate Shopping Centre is aware of the very unfortunate incident that ended on the evening of 4 March at the mall. An inquest with SAPS will go forward. Business is running as normal.”
Further details to follow.
