Family of man shot by cop to go to Public Protector

The murder investigation of a Lesotho man has left the family anxious for answers as police have failed to communicate.

Kimberley - The family of the man who was shot dead by a policeman nearly a fortnight ago will approach the Public Protector to determine what action has been taken against the officer.

While the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) has confirmed that it is still investigating the death of Jobere Majoro, 33, neighbours and relatives are demanding to know why no arrests have been made after the Lesotho national was shot five times, at close range, on the morning of May 6, 2016.

The brother of the deceased, John Majoro, said Tuesday that the family had travelled to Kimberley last week to retrieve the body.

However, he added that Jobere’s loved ones were been kept in the dark with regards to the progress of the investigation.

“I first learned of what happened to Jobere when I received a call from people who live in the area to inform me that he had been killed by a policeman,” Majoro said. “This came as a major shock to our family and I travelled to Kimberley to find out exactly what had happened.

“All I know is what I have heard from his neighbours. The police have my contact details but the only feedback I have had from them was from one officer in forensics who told me that the incident was being investigated.

“I cannot understand why this matter has not made it to the court yet as this is where it will be determined whether or not my brother was murdered.”

Majoro added that, from the physical evidence and eyewitness accounts, the actions of the two officers, who according to Ipid were attending to a robbery investigation, appeared excessive and warranted decisive action from the police and the court.

“Firstly, I cannot see why someone armed with a knobkierie would attack two people with guns who have received training on how to use them effectively.

“I definitely cannot understand why they needed to kill him.

“My brother was shot five times and from what I understand, there were seven shots fired in total. We are demanding answers and the only way we are going to get them is by approaching the Public Protector.”

Amogelang Maropo, who was an eyewitness to the shooting, on Tuesday said that Jobere’s partner of seven years, Suzelle Steenkamp, was still struggling to come to terms with the loss of the father of her two-year-old child. “She (Steenkamp) is still very traumatised after seeing her soul mate gunned down in front of her,” she said.

“We are all still shocked by what happened and what makes it worse is that it does not seem like anything is being done to bring the policeman involved to book. “All we have heard is that the investigation is still under way.”

Ipid spokesman, Robbie Raburabu, reiterated that the matter was still under investigation.

“The case is under investigation and nobody has been charged yet,” he said.

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