Homeless Cape Town Man Allegedly Shot in the Face by Metro Cop, Granted Bail With Investigation to Follow
- Luvolwethu Kati, aged 22, is a Metro Police Officer from Cape Town who appeared in court today
- Kati is accused of killing a homeless man of 38 years by shooting him in the face on 9 January in Rondebosch
- He arrived on the scene after being informed that the deceased started a fire, but the homeless man became violent
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CAPE TOWN - Luvolwethu Kati, aged 22, is a Metro Police Officer from Cape Town who appeared in court today (11 January) after being accused of killing a homeless man of 38 years by shooting him in the face on 9 January.
Eric Ntabazalila, a spokesperson for the Western Cape NPA, said that Kati's case requires further investigation and has been postponed until 12 April. In the meantime, he has been released on bail.
Carin Rhoode Gelderbloem, a community leader in Rondebosch where the incident took place, said that Kati had arrived on the scene after being informed that the deceased started a fire. Once Kati arrived the homeless man became violent and died in the crossfire from a bullet in his mouth, IOL reports.
Source: Getty Images
The future of the investigation
Gelderbloem added that Kati did not aim at the homeless man, which she believes shows that he did not intend to kill him, according to News24. The City of Cape Town officially confirmed the incident.
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"The matter is being investigated by SAPS, and enquiries should be directed to them. The City views the incident in a very serious light and will cooperate with the investigation, where needed," the City said.
Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has been called upon to explain how the incident happened and why law enforcement officers can be released on bail after committing murder.
South Africans react to metro cop accused of murdering homeless man
@SurpriseMamogwe asked:
"Why does it look like they are targeting the homeless so?"
@C4Tranzam remarked:
"Horrible."
@Jay984581261 said:
"The @Our_DA will tell you their law enforcement is the best."
@nalmolebale shared:
"Bruh, 6 weeks of training."
EMPD officer shot and killed during shoot-out with illegal miners
Speaking of police shootings, Briefly News previously reported that police have confirmed that an Ekurhuleni Metro Police was shot and killed during a shoot-out with illegal miners. The shooting took place in Primrose, Germiston between 6am and 6.30am.
The EMPD spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Kelebogile Thepa, stated that the illegal miners allegedly opened fire when the police arrived on the scene.
"Everyone took cover [and the officer] was shot while also taking cover,” she said.
Source: Briefly News
