Eight Police Guilty Of Murder In South Africa

The judge was summarising before convicting the eight of murder for fatally injuring Mozambican taxi driver Mido Macia by dragging him behind a police van and kicking him in his private parts in the cells.

They all pleaded not guilty at trial, and claimed in their defence that Macia had fallen out of the van and his handcuffs accidentally hooked on the back.

The NPA hopes the murder conviction of the eight police officers who assaulted taxi driver Mido Macia will bring closure to his family.

The African Information Company reported that the courtroom acquitted a ninth police officer in the course of the trial.

“We want money. We want to take care of the children”.

“It was painful to hear how my brother was killed”. He paid for school fees and other things.

She said she hoped the court slapped the former policemen with lengthy sentences, saying she would prefer “never to see the accused outside again”. Melita said Mido’s young children were constantly asking about their father.

Judge Bam also noted that key state witness, Warrant Officer, Mpumzi Ngamlana could be criminally liable for his conduct on the night of Macia’s death.

In a verdict that clearly stunned numerous former policemen’s family members, Judge Bert Bam convicted Meshack Malele, Thamsanqa Ngema, Percy Mnisi, Bongamusa Mdluli, Sipho Ngobeni, Lungisa Gwababa, Bongani Kolisi and Linda Sololo.

“The accused must rise now”.

The incident, which was captured on a cellphone video and widely distributed via social media, made worldwide headlines and sparked several protests against police brutality.

Nationwide Prosecuting Authority spokesman Luvuyo Mfako stated the lads might be sentenced on September 22.

The victim suffered from wounds to his head and internal bleeding before being found dead in police custody two hours after the attack in the square was recorded.

The video showed Mr Macia, from Mozambique, struggling with police on 26 February after parking his vehicle illegally and causing a traffic jam in Daveyton, east of Johannesburg.