Home affairs client shot
2003-12-02 11:52
Riot Hlatshwayo
Hazyview - An Mpumalanga home affairs officer has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting an "argumentative" 23-year-old client.
Identity book applicants were forced to dive for cover on Monday morning, when the unnamed official pulled his pistol and fired two shots into his Hazyview office ceiling.
"The client, whom the official accused of being an illegal Mozambican immigrant, begged for his life but was executed anyway," said Hazyview police commissioner, Superintendent Slot Khoza.
"Witnesses claim the official deliberately shot the crying man, David Mkhonto, through the neck. He died instantly."
The home affairs official, who may not legally be named until he has pled on murder charges, will appear in the Hazyview magistrate court on Wednesday.
Witnesses claim the official accused Mkhonto of being an illegal Mozambican immigrant, refused to serve him, and ordered he to leave the office.
When Mkhonto persisted that he was South African, and insisted on being issued an ID book, the official allegedly pulled out a pistol and shouted that he was tired of being argued with before firing two shots into the air.
He then allegedly turned on a cowering Mkhonto, and allegedly shot him in the neck at point-blank range.
The officer then calmly drove to the local police station, where he turned over his pistol and surrendered to Superintendent Khoza.
- African Eye