Boksburg SAPS to investigate CPF car chase shooting
After almost a month of arguing between police stations, the Boksburg SAPS has finally undertaken to investigate the shooting of an alleged burglar in Freeway Park.
The investigating officer, Capt Colin van Rooyen, has, however, stated that the matter is now compounded by the fact that the CPF member suspected of pulling the trigger recently met his death.
According to van Rooyen, the man apparently fell off a boat on the Vaal Dam and drowned, a few days after the shooting incident.
The burglary suspect was gunned down in Freeway Park, allegedly by the late Freeway Park/Elspark CPF member, on Tuesday, March 31.
This was after the deceased and his accomplices allegedly forced their way into a house in Elspark and stole valuable items.
CPF members spotted the men exiting the premises in a greyish Nissan sedan and gave chase.
The high-speed pursuit continued to Freeway Park, where the suspects apparently got lost and drove into a cul-de-sac in the suburb, with the CPF members in pursuit.
As they drove into the dead end, the suspects tried to escape through a small passage. They, however, got trapped again and then tried to drive through a palisade fence, resulting in their getaway vehicle becoming immobilised.
The men jumped out of the car and tried to flee on foot and the CPF member allegedly opened fire on them, leaving one dead.
A second suspect was apprehended, while the others involved in the burglary fled on foot.
Initially, the Boksburg police SAPS and Elsburg SAPS were in disagreement over who should investigate the death of the burglary suspect.
In terms of the shooting, Boksburg police registered an inquest docket on the day of the shooting, and they intended to transfer it to the Elsburg SAPS.
They wanted the case to be investigated by the Elsburg SAPS because the shooting was part of a related, continuous series of crimes, which started in the Elsburg SAPS policing precinct.
The Boksburg SAPS, however, unsuccessfully tried to get the Elsburg SAPS to collect the docket.
A spokesperson for the Elsburg SAPS, Const Daphne Phooko, repeatedly stated that her station has no jurisdiction over cases that happen outside its precinct.
“The shooting happened outside of our precinct; the shooting will be investigated by the Boksburg police,” she said.
Boksburg SAPS station commander Biggs Govender confirmed that they have finally decided to investigate the alleged burglar’s death.
According to Govender, after the investigation is completed, the findings will be delivered to court, which will decide if the CPF member acted within the confines of the law.
“If not, the court will then have to determine with which crime the member should be charged, and if there’s enough evidence to bring a criminal charge,” he said.
– @FanieFLK
