A Buffalo City Metro ward councillor may stand trial for attempted murder over two bullets that hit his son yesterday.
Police Captain Stephen Marais said police rushed to the scene on a report that DA Ward 19 councillor Derek Green had opened fire on his 25-year-old son.
This was after his son allegedly poured petrol on the family home in Buffalo Flats in a heated argument with his father.
Police have now opened a case of attempted murder against the councillor and one of arson against the son. His son cannot be named as he is under police supervision in hospital and has yet to appear before court.
Marais said: “It seems like a domestic problem. It is alleged that after the argument the son disappeared and returned with a container of petrol, poured it in the house and set it alight.”
Police (Marais) said the fire was eventually put out, but the son started another fire and that was when the father fired at him.
“It is alleged that the suspect in the attempted murder case fired shots wounding him once in each leg. The 25-year-old has been taken to hospital under police guard and once he is discharged he will appear in court on a case of arson,” Marais said.
Green has not been arrested.
“Once police are finished with their investigation it will be laid in front of the senior state prosecutor to see whether the shooter must be prosecuted or not,” Marais said. A Dispatch team arrived about an hour after the incident. Neighbours were still talking among themselves, shocked at what had happened.
A neighbour who asked to remain anonymous said they heard gunshots just after 2pm.
“At first I thought it was firecrackers, but the second shot was convincing. We got out. After a few minutes police arrived. We were curious as to what happened,” she said.
Marais said the firearm was seized and police also discovered cartridges and projectiles on the scene. “As a formality the firearm will be sent away for ballistics to Port Elizabeth to see if it was involved in any other offence. That is standard procedure,” he said. — siphem@dispatch.co.za
DA councillor’s son shot in family spat
Police Captain Stephen Marais said police rushed to the scene on a report that DA Ward 19 councillor Derek Green had opened fire on his 25-year-old son.
This was after his son allegedly poured petrol on the family home in Buffalo Flats in a heated argument with his father.
Police have now opened a case of attempted murder against the councillor and one of arson against the son. His son cannot be named as he is under police supervision in hospital and has yet to appear before court.
Marais said: “It seems like a domestic problem. It is alleged that after the argument the son disappeared and returned with a container of petrol, poured it in the house and set it alight.”
Police (Marais) said the fire was eventually put out, but the son started another fire and that was when the father fired at him.
“It is alleged that the suspect in the attempted murder case fired shots wounding him once in each leg. The 25-year-old has been taken to hospital under police guard and once he is discharged he will appear in court on a case of arson,” Marais said.
Green has not been arrested.
“Once police are finished with their investigation it will be laid in front of the senior state prosecutor to see whether the shooter must be prosecuted or not,” Marais said. A Dispatch team arrived about an hour after the incident. Neighbours were still talking among themselves, shocked at what had happened.
A neighbour who asked to remain anonymous said they heard gunshots just after 2pm.
“At first I thought it was firecrackers, but the second shot was convincing. We got out. After a few minutes police arrived. We were curious as to what happened,” she said.
Marais said the firearm was seized and police also discovered cartridges and projectiles on the scene. “As a formality the firearm will be sent away for ballistics to Port Elizabeth to see if it was involved in any other offence. That is standard procedure,” he said. — siphem@dispatch.co.za
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