As the police celebrated National Police Day in central Joburg, hundreds of residents of Soweto marched to demand the suspension of a cop charged with murder.
The piercing sound of vuvuzelas echoed through the streets as residents of Nomzamo marched to the Orlando police station in protest against the non-suspension of Constable Ndivhoneni Malele.
Malele allegedly shot and killed Thamsanqa Samane-Radebe two weeks ago after Samane-Radebe had told him to “voertsek”.
The killing happened while the police were trying to enter Radebe’s shack at about midnight.
Samane-Radebe had apparently been irritated by the loud knocks when he uttered the word “voertsek”, according to his cousin Mzuvukile.
Mzuvukile said Malele had shot Radebe despite him (Mzuvukile) apologising. He added that Malele then pepper-sprayed Samane-Radebe in the face.
Malele was arrested five days later and appeared in court on the same day. He was granted bail on the same day and resumed duty the following day – a decision that has outraged Nomzamo residents.
On Friday, they called for his suspension.
Young and old sang and danced outside the police station as a memorandum was handed over. The residents were joined by Orlando ward councillor Sechaba Khumalo and his predecessor Ruby Matang.
In the memorandum, residents complained about the “unfair” and “lenient” ruling that saw Malele being released on R1 000 bail.
Police spokesman Warrant Officer Bongani Mhlongo said the station commander was still awaiting feedback from the Gauteng provincial office regarding Malele’s suspension. - The Star