Cop: Gun wasn’t ready to fire that day

2012-08-06 16:31

Sipho Mbatha in the South Gauteng High Court. (Werner Beukes, Sapa)

Johannesburg - A policeman who was present the day Thato Mokoka was killed told the South Gauteng High Court on Monday his firearm was not ready to fire when the 16-year-old was killed.

"My pistol was cocked, but in an off position. Even if you pressed the trigger, it wouldn't have fired. It needed to be switched on first," said Constable Clifford Mathebula.

He was responding to a suggestion by advocate Kenneth Manyage that all the officers present had their firearms on automatic mode.

Mokoka was shot dead outside his grandmother's house in Bramfischerville, allegedly by student Constable Sipho Mbatha, on February 14.

He has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.

He has claimed that his firearm accidentally went off when he bent over to search Mokoka, 16.

Police went in search of Mokoka after it was alleged that he was part of a gang called the BWA (Boys with Advices) and that he owned an illegal firearm. No firearm was found.

Mokoka's aunt Mpumi Mkoka and a 15-year-old pregnant girl, who was present on the day of the murder, testified last week.

- SAPA