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A Western Cape police officer charged with murdering an Ethiopian shop owner after he allegedly refused to pay protection money has appeared in court.
The 26-year-old police officer, who is stationed at the Stellenbosch Police Station, as well as a 35-year-old alleged accomplice, have been charged with murder and extortion.
The couple were arrested on Friday.
“The arrest of the two is related to an incident where an Ethiopian shop owner was killed in Stellenbosch in February 2020 after he allegedly refused to pay protection money,” the police spokesman said, Brigadier Novela Potelwa, in a statement.
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The defendants, who appeared in court for the first time on Monday, have been placed in pretrial detention as the matter was postponed until November 11 to request a formal bond.
The police officer has been suspended from his duties, added Potelwa.
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