Teen was shot 3 times by cop - ICD

2012-02-16 13:01

Johannesburg - The Soweto teenager apparently killed by a student policeman was shot three times, the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) said on Thursday.

"He was shot three times. Once in the back, once in the forehead, and once in the stomach," said ICD spokesperson Moses Dlamini. A post mortem would be done by Friday.

Thato Mokoka, 16, was killed outside the home of his grandmother, Sybil Mokoka, in Bramfisherville Phase Two on Tuesday.

Dobsonville police had raided the boy's home after neighbours told them he had an unlicensed gun.

The boy was a Grade 9 pupil at Kgatelopele Secondary School.

No one had been arrested for the killing, Dlamini said.

"The investigation is still under way. You don't just arrest because of allegations. We must first establish that that was the case."

Student constable

Earlier on Thursday, Dlamini said a police student constable was guarding the teenager, but no one saw exactly what happened. The ICD was taking statements.

According to reports on Thursday, Mokoka was lying on his stomach with his hands above his head when the policeman allegedly fired.

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Kay Makhubela confirmed that the case had been handed over to the ICD and that a murder case had been opened.

Democratic Alliance spokesperson Kate Lorimer MP said the policeman had to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

In a statement, she said a number of questions should be answered in the investigation into the incident.

"Did the police have a warrant to search the property where a minor lived? If not, on what evidence did they conduct a search?

"Why did the police members allegedly assault the two girls who were with Thato in his room? Why was Thato shot in the back while lying down? What are the rights of a minor in such circumstances?" Lorimer asked.

However, Dlamini said all reports at this stage were speculative and that the ICD would issue a statement on the details and any arrests.

- SAPA