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Four police officers appeared in the Johannesburg Court of First Instance on Wednesday in connection with the murder of Mthokozisi Ntumba.
Tshephisho Kekana, 27, Cidraas Motseothatha, 43, Madimetja Legodi, 37, and Victor Mohammed, 51, face charges of murder, attempted murder and annulment of the purposes of justice.
Ntumba, 35, was shot and killed last week, allegedly by police while dispersing students protesting in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
Police Minister Bheki Cele visited the Ntumba family one day after the incident.
READ | ‘Someone went crazy’: Police Minister Bheki Cele says no defense for Wits shooting
The four individuals were arrested by police watchdog IPID on Monday.
They are due to return to court on March 24, when they are expected to submit a request for bail.
The state is expected to deliver the post-mortem report to the defense team on Friday.
In addition, the defense requested CCTV footage and other forensic evidence.
It is not clear if this information will be released prior to the application of the bond.
The state said it will oppose the bond.
“It is a classification 5 crime, so the responsibility lies with the defendant to show that they qualify for bail. They will apply and the state will respond,” Phindi Mjonondwane, a spokesperson for NPA Gauteng, told the media after court proceedings.
When asked to explain the three counts of attempted murder, Mjonondwane said that when the students were being dispersed, other people were also injured.
Regarding the defeat of the purposes of justice, Mjonondwane said that the officers “did not act as law enforcement officers are expected and did not report the incident.”
“All are accused under the doctrine of common purpose,” he concluded.
