Shot for ‘sucking a lollipop’

Published Jul 4, 2015

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Durban - A 17-year-old Durban youngster is in a critical condition after the police allegedly mistook his lollipop for a gun and shot him.

Ernest Ndaba from KwaMashu, who is has been unable to walk or talk since the shooting, is being guarded by police at King Edward VIII hospital.

According to his mother, Nomusa Ndaba, the Grade 10 Zeph Dlomo High School pupil was sucking a lollipop while playing with his friends on Thursday evening at about 7pm when a number of police officers opened fire on him.

“His friends told me the police first swore at them before opening fire. His friends said they realised while fleeing from the shots that my son had been shot and was on the ground,” said Ndaba.

The teenager, according to Ernest’s friends, was then rushed to Poly Clinic KwaMashu by the same officers.

When Ndaba confronted the police about the incident, investigators said her son had been shot because SAPS officers had suspected him of brandishing a toy gun.

Ndaba said she had since been barred by the police from speaking to her son’s friends.

Police spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker confirmed the shooting.

“It was about 7.45pm when a group of suspicious-looking men ran away from the police when they tried to search them. The police heard a gunshot and then they fired back.”

An attempted murder case has also been opened.

The case has been referred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.

Independent on Saturday

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