Slain cop 'arrests' his killer

2003-09-15 09:29

Borrie la Grange

Pretoria - A policeman has arrested his own murderer - he fell on top of the man after being shot in the chest.

Inspector Mbingeleli Mejeni, 46, was shot during a crime prevention patrol in a Saulsville street, just outside Pretoria, barely 500m from his home.

Accompanied by three other police, they watched a group of street gamblers about 10:00 because they thought the men were getting ready to rob a shop.

Inspector Percy Morokane said: "The police, dressed in civilian clothes, walked towards the group and identified themselves.

The men ran, and Mejeni and two others caught three men."

The suspect whom Mejeni had arrested, shot him in the chest as they went to the police vehicle.

Mejenji's friend and colleague said: "I heard the shot and turned around. Then I saw Mejeni fall on top of the suspect."

The suspect's firearm was taken away and he was arrested before he could crawl out from underneath Mejenji's body.

The grief-stricken family later washed Mejeni's blood off the street after his body was taken to the mortuary.

Commissioner Amon Mashigo for the Pretoria area says: "I'm devastated. We cannot allow our members to be cut down like this."

Mejeni leaves his wife, Thandi, a son and a daughter.

- Beeld