The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng welcomes the arrests of four police officers from the Public Order Policing Unit by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate in connection with the death of Mthokozisi Ntumba.
Mthokozisi Ntumba was allegedly shot dead last week in a crossfire during a protest by a group of students from University of Wits over university fees.
He was allegedly shot when the police were dispersing the university students who were protesting in Braamfontein.
The four police officers who have been arrested are facing charges of murder, attempted murder and defeating the end of justice.
It is worrying that South Africans continue to suffer and die at the hands of the South African Police Service (SAPS), while severe consequences for these actions hardly ever follow.
The DA will be present in court for the first appearance of the suspects in solidarity with the family of the deceased and further call for the suspects to be denied bail and their firearm licenses to be suspended with immediate effect.
We further call on the SAPS to abide by their Code of Conduct and to respect the rights of South Africans while they are conducting their duties.