Siyavuya Mzantsi
IN a second incident in a matter of weeks, police have opened fire on innocent people, killing two workers who were on their way home.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate said yesterday they were not aware if the police, who were in an unmarked car, called for back-up or fired warning shots when they pursued robbers just after midnight yesterday.
The Institute for Security Studies said it is unlawful for the police to use excessive force or to shoot at moving vehicles as they do not know who is inside.
A Toyota Quantum taking McDonald’s Kuils River staff home came under heavy fire after it was mistakenly identified to be involved in an armed robbery at a Kuils River petrol station.
Noxolo Skota, 23, and a colleague died on the scene in Hindle Road, Blue Downs. Six other colleagues were wounded and two escaped injury.
Witnesses say after the shooting the uniformed police officers opened the door, saw they were workers and rushed off.
Last month Nando’s employee Phumeza Fudumele was shot and killed, allegedly by the police after mistakenly identifying their staff vehicle as the car involved in an alleged ATM bombing at a garage in the Milnerton area.
The Quantum was riddled with more than 50 bullets.
Three of the tyres were shot out. The driver, Vuyisile Jezile, said he and his passengers thought they were being hijacked and were trying to get to the closest police station.
Ipid spokesperson Ronnie Raburabu said they were informed that the alleged robbers in the first vehicle were shooting at the police while they gave chase, and the vehicle carrying Mcdonald’s staff was caught in the crossfire.
“It is not known at this stage as to whether there was any back-up called of warning shots. That is all that we can say at this stage,” he said.
The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) said yesterday the police were not allowed to use lethal force unless their lives were in danger.
ISS head of Governance, Crime and Justice Division Gareth Newham said he could not understand how the police’s actions could be lawful.
“They should not be shooting at vehicles. The police are not allowed to do that. Police aren’t allowed to shoot at any car because they don’t know who is inside, as this was the case this time. As far a I understand there was no danger posed to the police,” said Newham.
Jezile said the police just came up behind them and started shooting without warning. “We thought it was just a sound until we heard another set of shots. I thought we were being hijacked. More shots came until we got here. When we got to the robots, |I thought I should go to the police station because the police there would help us. They shot on my side and the left tyre became flat,” he said.
Emotional scenes broke out in Blue Downs yesterday as Skota’s family from Mbekweni, Paarl, were told of the dramatic chase.
Skota’s older brother Xolani received a call from the |police informing them of the shooting and rushed to Cape Town. “All we know at this stage is that she was travelling in a car that was suspected to be involved in a robbery while coming from work.
“We are very shocked. She was the last-born in her family and we had high hopes for her. We have already informed other family members in the Eastern Cape about this. We are in discussion about suing the police for this,” he said.
Jezile’s cousin, Fezile Jidane, who was among the first people at the scene, said they counted more than 50 bullet holes in the taxi.
“We are surprised that |the other people survived. It looks like they were being ambushed. My cousin said there was no siren on; that’s why he did not stop because he thought he was being hijacked,” he said.
Witness Xolile Mahobe said: “When we got here there were several police cars. We asked what happened. They told us they were shot at by the police. Luckily they managed to get the registration numbers.
“They told us that they were forced to lie on the ground, but the police realised they had chased a wrong vehicle. They were all were all wearing work uniforms.”
Two of the suspected robbers were shot dead in Parliament Street, Mfuleni, shortly after the first shooting.
Police spokesperson Andre Traut confirmed the robbery and said two subsequent incidents occurred during which four people were killed and three were injured.
“These incidents are now subject to an Ipid investigation and this office will not be elaborating on the detail at this stage,” he said.
McDonald’s SA chief executive Greg Solomon said: “We are shocked, horrified and deeply saddened at the death of two of our valued employees and the injuries sustained by five others. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends of our Kuils River team.”