Sikelela Tshota was shot and killed in Fisantekraal allegedly at the hands of a police officer.
Image: supplied
In just one week, two families in Cape Town have come forward with claims of police brutality either resulting in death or attempted murder.
This week, another family, that of a 23-year-old man, said they were shocked and appalled that a Durbanville police officer accused of murdering their relative was granted bail.
The case was registered on September 20, 2024, after Sikelela Tshota was shot and killed in Fisantekraal.
The police officer, Funisile Xhego, who was stationed at Durbanville SAPS, is currently making appearances in the Bellville Regional Court and was granted bail.
The Tshota family told the Cape Argus they were displeased with the fact that the officer was freed on bail and wanted justice for their relative who was the breadwinner of his side of the family.
“They (the deceased and friends) were sitting around the fire because it was cold and they saw the group of police who were patrolling as it was the weekend.
“They thought they should rather move away from the police and run, fearing they would be assaulted.
“While running, they heard one gunshot and Sikelela informed them that he was shot.
“They did not think anything of it as they were still in motion and he fell down.
“They, together with the police and law enforcement saw that he was shot and bleeding.
“They claimed they fired a warning shot in the air.
“Why did they use live ammunition?”
The family claimed police wanted to shift the blame on someone else but that ballistic testing proved the bullet allegedly belonged to a police officer's firearm.
“Police did not follow up with us after the shooting until a detective was appointed and we saw they wanted to throw this under the mat and we contacted the Independent Police Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (Ipid).
“They claimed that the community had flagged them down that someone was shot but the bullet inside him pointed out to which firearm it was.
“He was shot in the back and he was not armed.
“He handed himself over to the police.
“We also want to know why he is out on bail.”
Police spokesperson, FC van Wyk, confirmed the case was in the hands of Ipid.
The Cape Argus approached Ipid spokesperson Phaladi Shuping for comment about the case but he did not respond to queries at the time of going to print.
Earlier this week, the family of a 17-year-old boy together with a whistle-blower shared how police allegedly rammed over him with a state vehicle and beat him with a firearm, leaving him with injuries to his ribs and head.
Police confirmed that cases of attempted murder and assault to cause grievous bodily harm was opened.
Cape Argus