By Everson Luhanga
Seven police officers from Diepkloof police station in Soweto were granted bail of R3,000 each after they appeared in the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of murder, torture, assault, housebreaking and theft.
The officers are: Sergeant Phillip Machaba, 41; Constable Josephine Baloyi, 31; Constable Thobani Mkhwanazi, 30; Constable Thulani Hlatshwayo, 36; Constable Tshepo Chokoe, 36; Constable Andile Keto, 33; and Constable Tulalethu Madwantsi, 36.
They were arrested last week by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) for an incident that occurred on January 20, 2023.
Ipid spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said that on that day, the police received information about a person dealing drugs at a house on Martinus Smuts Drive, Diepkloof.
“They found Nkosinathi Dlamini and Simphiwe Dlamini at the gate of the said address. The officers allegedly assaulted them.
“Six police officers then proceeded into the house while one officer stood guard at the gate,” he said.
Shuping said the officers found Sfiso Dlamini, 41, in the house and allegedly assaulted him severely. He later died from his injuries.
“The police officers allegedly stole a sum of R2,000 that was found in the house.”
Shuping said the directorate investigated the matter and the docket was handed over to the senior prosecutor for a decision.
“The decision of the senior prosecutor was that all seven police officers allegedly involved in the incident should be charged with murder, torture, two counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and housebreaking and theft.
“The case against the police officers was postponed to 1 November for the officers to be provided with the indictment,” he said.
Pictured above: The arrested police officers.
Source: Supplied
