Killer cop had history of violence

Published Jun 5, 2015

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Johannesburg - About a month ago, Constable Ronnie Masie had his firearm seized after he held his girlfriend hostage at her home in East Bank, Alexandra.

Masie had apparently found her with another man, and in a fit of rage, he held the two at gunpoint. An enraged Masie also fired shots into the streets and threatened to kill his colleagues who were called to intervene.

On Wednesday night, Masie tricked his colleagues at the Alexandra police station into giving him another firearm. Hours later, he stormed the police station and mowed down four people – his partner, Sowela Anna Nkuna, her uncle, Mathews Mapaya, 39, and a neighbour, Stephina Semenya, 52, with the gun.

Masie’s colleague, Major Thomas Moetlo, 59, who was opening a case of domestic violence against him, was not spared. 

Mapaya and Semenya were accompanying Nkuna to the police station. Masie had followed them to the police station after they had an altercation at home.

Masie had, after killing the four, tried to shoot two other police officers but missed. He fled to the house he shared with Nkuna. His colleagues from the tactical response team gave chase. He opened fire at them, prompting them to retaliate. He was killed in the shootout.

National police commissioner General Riah Phiyega and provincial commissioner Lesetja Mothiba visited Alexandra police station.

On Thursday, the police could not say who had issued Masie with a second gun.

Lieutenant-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said the safe at the client service centre at the police station was broken into and the gun in question taken. Police are investigating, he added.

As Alexandra reeled in shock, Nkuna’s distraught family gathered in her flat on 8th Avenue. They were not surprised by Masie’s deadly actions. They alleged that he had always been abusive and used his power to threaten her. They added that Nkuna had lodged numerous complaints of domestic abuse against Masie.

“Police did not update her (Nkuna) on the cases or address the matter with her. We are hurt that she was killed at the police station, where she went to seek help,” Nkuna’s cousin said.

It is understood the couple, who had a child together, were in a relationship for about five years, but had separated.

A floor above Nkuna’s apartment, Semenya’s grieving family said they were still awaiting the arrival of her husband, who was travelling from Limpopo.

Moetlo’s brother, Patrick, said:

“We are shocked and traumatised by the sudden loss of our brother.”

A distraught Patrick described Moetla as a caring parent.

Moetlo, who had five children, was the breadwinner for his five younger siblings too.

Neighbours recounted how Masie held his other girlfriend hostage at gunpoint about a month ago. They said he had fired a few rounds into the air in the streets, where their children play.

 “The enraged officer, who was off duty at the time, allegedly threatened to kill his co-workers if they didn’t leave.

“They left but took his service pistol with them,” a neighbour said.

Sources said Masie, a court orderly based at the police station, later lied to his colleagues, saying he was about to transport inmates to prison as a ploy to be issued with another pistol.

 On Thursday, the room where they were fatally wounded was still stained with blood. About 20 bullet markings were visible on the floor and in the walls.

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