R1000 Bail for two Evaton police officers accused of murdering fellow cop

News24

16 hours ago

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) has called for the killings of police officers to be treated as treason.
This after two police officers, Sergeant Piet Matsoso (38) and Sergeant Siyabonga Kunene (31) together with their friend Hofney Morobe (36) made their first appearance at the Sebokeng Magistrates court today for the alleged murder of another police officer, Constable Gift Mokoena.
The accused handed themselves over to the police on Monday (30th June) following intense police investigations.
The trio is facing charges in connection to an incident that occurred on the evening of 16 May 2021.
The three officers stationed at Evaton police station were off duty and driving around the Golden Gardens area with their friend before the terrible ordeal.
The officers allegedly spotted a vehicle suspected of being involved in a house robbery and began pursuing it.
The car is said to have stopped at a nearby BP petrol station, where the accused officers confronted and allegedly assaulted the four male occupants in the pursued vehicle.
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After the alleged assault, they took one of the suspect's cellphone and car keys.
Honfey Morobe, accompanied by Matsoso and Kunene, allegedly drove the victims around before handing them over to members of the Community Policing Forum (CPF).
Unfortunately, a mob attack ensued. Morobe and Mokoena allegedly joined the community members in assaulting the suspects.
In the midst of the assault, Morobe allegedly walked away from the group, took Matsoso's service firearm from the vehicle, and fatally shot Mokoena.
The deceased cop was rushed to Nkanyezi Private Hospital in Sebokeng, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The National Prosecuting Authority's spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana says that the state did not oppose the release of the accused on bail on basis that they handed themselves over.
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'The accused handed themselves over to the authorities and voluntarily cooperated. They face an array of charges including murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, robbery with aggravating circumstances, defeating the ends of justice, and handling a firearm while under the influence of alcohol,' says Mahanjana.
Mahanjana adds that the addresses of the accused have been verified and the prosecutor submitted an affidavit by the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Nyongwana, confirming that the investigation is complete and that the witnesses are not known to the accused people, therefore posing no risk of interference.
The matter was postponed to the 4th of September 2025 for a directive from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) spokesperson Richard Mamabolo expressed concern over ongoing police killings in the country.
'Law enforcement officers have become targeted victims of the worst crime, with attacks and killings escalating in South Africa. The stability of the country has become under attack with officers being killed. Some are attacked while guarding inmates, traffic and police officers are ambushed when conducting patrols.Their potential firearms and uniforms get stolen with the probable intention of committing further crimes. This needs to be treated with urgency, he says.'