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The family of the late Pheta Molonyana, one of the two victims who were allegedly shot and killed during the unrest in Tembisa on Monday, wants justice for their brother from the officials.
The 42-year-old from Mashemong section was said to have been the breadwinner of the family.
Family spokesperson Boitumelo Sekonyane told City Press that Molonyana died in his work gear.
“My brother was coming from work. He was a local welder who had a welding business in his garage, where he employed six people, including his brothers who were struggling to find work. He was met by tragedy coming from work and was shot by a white metro police officer.
“He was still in his work boots, welding gloves and goggles,” she said.
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Sekonyane added that the metro cop did not show any remorse after shooting their brother as he allegedly tried to run over their mother when he was confronted.
“The community called his mother to tell her that her son had been shot and was lying on the floor. My aunt came and asked the metro police officer ‘are you the one who shot my son?’ and the officer responded ‘ek het hom ge skit’ (I shot him). When he drove off in a police nyala, he attempted to run over the mother of the deceased,” Sekonyane narrated how her brother died.
She explained the tragedy was unreconcilable because she felt that her brother was killed on purpose because he was black.
“When these white police officers come into our neighbourhoods, the first thing they see is a black person and automatically in their eyes, we are criminals, monsters, thugs and represent an illiterate society.”
She mentioned that Ekurhuleni mayor Tania Campbell and the Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements and Cooperative Governance, Lebogang Maile, promised the family justice:
The family said they were looking to bury Molonyana on Saturday.
It was not established whether the alleged EMPD officer had been suspended or was still on duty, but it was confirmed that an investigation was under way.
READ: MEC to visit Tembisa after residents leave trail of destruction over 'skyrocketing' cost of services
EMPD spokesperson Kelebogile Thepa could not be reached for comment.
