A top cop is accused of opening fire in a crowded mall parking lot. Seven people are injured and bystanders terrified.
Local police hide behind bureaucracy to avoid recording the shooting victims’ complaints against their station commander.
This is what reportedly happened on Friday in Qumbu when the town’s station commander, Colonel Mavela Feke, repeatedly fired his weapon in the parking lot of the Qumbu Shopping Centre, apparently in response to an argument taking place over a parking bay.
Yet police are refusing to say anything about the “Wild West” incident, even though it was front-page news in the Daily Dispatch on Tuesday.
This is despite yet another bystander, Zingisa Mdunyelwa, laying a charge with police because his Toyota bakkie was hit by five bullets, allegedly fired by Mavela.
On Wednesday, the Eastern Cape’s top-ranking police officer, provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga, rebuffed questions from the Dispatch.
“I am the provincial commissioner and not a spokesperson,” she said.
Police minister Bheki Cele referred questions to his spokesperson, Reneilwe Serero, who did not answer calls or respond to text messages sent to him.
Neither did provincial police spokesperson Captain Khaya Tonjeni.
Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) spokesperson Moses Dlamini said the shooting incident had not been reported to them.
“Once someone opens a case against a police officer, a report must be sent to the Ipid to investigate,” he said.
Dlamini said he could not comment about whether Feke would be suspended as this was an internal police disciplinary matter.
An officer at Qumbu police station said yesterday that Feke was in Mthatha and that she was not sure when he would be back.
Dr Johan Burger of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) said Ntshinga was ducking her duty by not responding to questions.
“She is shirking her responsibility.
“This is not a day-to-day issue, it is a serious case.
“She should not only be able to talk but she should be willing to comment, given the seriousness of the issue.
“It is important to the public to know whether or not he [Feke] is on duty or if he still has a firearm.”
Mdunyelwa said he had opened a case against Feke and had fled Qumbu because he was scared for his life.
“It was wrong. He should have called traffic cops to tow the car away instead of shooting at people.
“I want the case to move forward and for justice to take its course,” said Mdunyelwa...