A police officer was sentenced to 15 years’ direct imprisonment for fatally shooting a suspected drug peddler without provocation.
Picture credit: Timeless News
By Montsho Matlala
Polokwane: A police officer found guilty of murder after shooting a suspected drug peddler at a traffic robot has been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment by the Limpopo High Court sitting in Polokwane.
The court heard that Avhahumi Adolphus Netshikweta (41), attached to the police’s Highway Patrol Unit, was on duty with his colleagues when they received a false tip-off about a man distributing drugs in the Lebowakgomo area.
The officers later spotted a VW Polo matching the description provided and gave chase.
The driver of the VW Polo, Thlompho Mabiletja, unaware that the officers were pursuing him, stopped at the robot. The police instructed him to switch off the engine and, while he was still complying, Netshikweta shot him dead.
Upon searching the deceased’s car, police initially claimed to have found drugs, money, and a toy gun. However, during the trial, the State proved that the items were planted to justify the killing.
“This followed a thorough investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), which led to a murder case being opened against Netshikweta,” said Limpopo National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi.
In aggravation of sentence, Advocate Andisa Vavilova Mudau for the State argued that the accused was the aggressor on the day of the incident and that the deceased had done nothing to warrant losing his life.
Mudau further submitted that Netshikweta still faces two pending cases of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
“The accused is a law enforcement officer and, as such, his conduct has brought the criminal justice system into disrepute. His actions violated the South African Constitution, which he had taken an oath to protect and serve,” Mudau added.
The court sentenced Netshikweta to 15 years’ direct imprisonment for murder.
