By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
The family of Sibusiso Amos, who was fatally shot by a metro officer in March 2020 at Vosloorus when Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officers were enforcing Level 5 lockdown regulations, received justice following the conviction of Siphiwe George Ndlovu.
Ndlovu was found guilty of murder, three counts of attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition by the High Court of South Africa: Gauteng Local Division, Johannesburg.
Amos was shot inside the yard at his home after an argument broke out between him and the EMPD officers that were chasing patrons from a nearby tavern.
Three children that were in the house were also wounded during the shooting.
He was shot at close range by live ammunition, whilst standing behind a locked burglar gate. The bullet was fired from one of the EMPD officers’ shot gun.
According Gauteng regional NPA spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane, Ndlovu told the court that he picked up the gun soon after the officer fell down following an attack from members of the community.
Mjonondwane, said Ndlovu then saw a scuffle inside the yard between Amos and EMPD officers. He approached and fired shots towards Amos to scare him off in order to stop the scuffle.
(GLD: Sphiwe George Ndlovu was convicted for the murder of Sibusiso Amos, who was fatally shot during the enforcement of level 5 lockdown regulations at Vosloorus in March 2020. https://t.co/fyiyEiVdA8)
State advocate Rolene Barnard, argued that Ndlovu was a former police officer, knowledgeable about gun handling and precautionary measures to take when using guns.
Bernard asked the court to consider that Amos was shot at the sanctity of his own home, unarmed and without any provocation.
“The court rejected Ndlovu’s evidence as highly improbable and accepted the evidence by state witnesses,” said Mjonondwane
Judge Mudau remarked that evidence by state witnesses was more reliable.
The case was postponed to 29 June for arguments in mitigation and aggravation of sentence.
Pic: Twitter