Cop charged after shooting death
2012-08-08 22:01
Durban - A Durban policeman appeared in the Durban Regional Court on Wednesday over allegations that he shot a man in the back.
Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) spokesperson Moses Dlamini said Warrant Officer Thulani Obed Thango was charged with murder and defeating the ends of justice.
Thango was arrested following an IPID investigation into the death of 25-year old Sizwe Bayi on September 23 2011.
Dlamini said Thango had claimed that he shot Bayi in self-defence after Bayi tried to stab him.
However, a post mortem revealed that Bayi had been shot from some distance, and had been shot in the back.
Dlamini said Thango claimed that Bayi's home had been raided because he was a suspect in another investigation.
However the IPID investigation did not reveal that Bayi was wanted in connection with any other matter.
Thango was granted R2 000 bail and the matter was postponed to 27 September.
- SAPA
