Cop accused of shooting burglar

2008-06-04 15:51

Walter Ka Nkosi

Burgersfort - A policeman appeared in court in connection with shooting a burglar at his house.

Detective Constable Letatela Sekwadi, 27, of the Tubatse police station was not asked to plead to charges of attempted murder when he appeared in the Tubatse Magistrate's Court on Monday.

The case was postponed to June 27 for further investigation and he is out on R2 000 bail.

Sekwadi is accused of shooting a 25-year-old suspect he allegedly found breaking into his house at about 04:00 on April 20.

"He immediately arrested him and locked him in the back of the police van, but then apparently shot him in anger," said Superintendent Mohale Ramatseba.

Ramatseba said Sekwadi was on standby at the station when he decided to go check that everything was alright at his house because the rest of his family was spending the weekend away with a relative.

"The officer was meant to have joined them, but was unable to because of work commitments," said Ramatseba.

He said the officer was concerned about security at his house because it was situated in a crime-ridden area.

He allegedly found that a burglar was about to leave the house with his DVD player, hi-fi, CDs and TV.

The suspect is under police guard in hospital and faces charges of housebreaking with the intention to steal and theft.

He will appear before the Tubatse Magistrate's Court when he is fit enough.

Sekwadi is still at work but will also be subjected to an internal hearing.

- African Eye