DURBAN - A “DRUNK” police officer who allegedly shot and killed a 20-year-old University of Zululand student is expected to appear in the uMlazi Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
The incident, which left Uganda informal settlement residents boiling with anger, happened on Monday when the officer allegedly shot and killed Mfundo Phungula.
Phungula was a third-year Consumer Science student at the University of Zululand.
According to Phungula’s friend Seluleko Hlengwa, who was with him when he was killed, the officer drew a firearm after he and Phungula had a heated argument with the officer’s girlfriend who owns a tavern in the area.
Hlengwa said they had gone to buy beer at around 2am on Monday, but it seemed they disturbed the sleeping couple and the tavern owner shouted at and insulted them.
After the argument they left without buying anything from the woman’s tavern, he said.
They then went to another place where they bought a beer but on their way back they came across the officer and his girlfriend again.
“He stopped us and said we lacked respect for other people, then drew a firearm. I ran away and heard gunshots but when I came back from hiding I realised that Mfundo had been shot,” said Hlengwa.
Phungula’s aunt, Lihle Zikode, said the family was still shocked by the incident and called for justice for her nephew.
She said they found him still alive and took him to Prince Mshiyeni Hospital but he died soon after arrival, adding that he had a gunshot wound to the neck.
Phungula’s death angered residents who on Monday blocked the road passing next to the settlement into Isipingo with burning tyres.
When the Daily News team arrived at the uMlazi Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday a group of residents were gathered outside to oppose bail for the suspect.
The residents thought the police officer would appear in court but his name was not on the court roll.
A police officer addressed residents outside the court, asking them to calm down and allow the law to take its course. He urged the residents not to do anything that would jeopardise the case.
According to a source close to the matter, the suspect was disarmed and arrested at the scene.
“He was taken to Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital so that his blood samples could be taken to check the level of alcohol since he appeared to be drunk,” the source said.
The suspect is due in court on Wednesday.
Police and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate were yet to comment by the time of publication.
Daily News