KP95DAO
April 4, 2003, 09:43 PM
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=15&art_id=vn20030404054750131C599522&set_id=1
Cop killings spark call to leave guns at work
April 04 2003 at 05:47AM
By Baldwin Ndaba and Solly Maphumulo
Gauteng Safety and Liaison MEC Nomvula Mokonyane has reiterated her call to officers to leave their guns at work, after yet another police officer was murdered for his weapon.
Inspector Ozias Mthethwa, 54, of Etwatwa, Daveyton, was killed while waiting for a police vehicle to pick him up for work. He suffered a single gunshot wound to his head.
He had apparently been accosted by four men, one of whom pulled out a gun and fired at him, before they disappeared with his service pistol.
'Police are vulnerable'
His family were not at home at the time of the attack. According to relatives, his wife Ellen Mthethwa was in Bushbuckridge preparing for a family ritual scheduled for later this month.
Neighbours had to contact his immediate relatives, who then contacted Mthethwa's wife.
Relatives found Mthethwa's body in a pool of blood on the road outside his home after the robbers fled on foot through mielie fields near his house.
Mokonyane and East Rand acting area commissioner Leah Mofomme condemned the attack.
"This should not be happening - it is an attack on our democracy," Mofomme said.
Mokonyane added: "The best solution to stop the killing of police officers is for police to keep their guns in the safe at work, so that the guns do not end up in the wrong hands.
"Police are vulnerable, and they become victims of the criminals because they want guns."
The MEC added: "These gun-crazy elements need to be brought to book."
No arrests had been made in connection with the murder.
Apart from his widow, Mthethwa is survived by five children.
Cop killings spark call to leave guns at work
April 04 2003 at 05:47AM
By Baldwin Ndaba and Solly Maphumulo
Gauteng Safety and Liaison MEC Nomvula Mokonyane has reiterated her call to officers to leave their guns at work, after yet another police officer was murdered for his weapon.
Inspector Ozias Mthethwa, 54, of Etwatwa, Daveyton, was killed while waiting for a police vehicle to pick him up for work. He suffered a single gunshot wound to his head.
He had apparently been accosted by four men, one of whom pulled out a gun and fired at him, before they disappeared with his service pistol.
'Police are vulnerable'
His family were not at home at the time of the attack. According to relatives, his wife Ellen Mthethwa was in Bushbuckridge preparing for a family ritual scheduled for later this month.
Neighbours had to contact his immediate relatives, who then contacted Mthethwa's wife.
Relatives found Mthethwa's body in a pool of blood on the road outside his home after the robbers fled on foot through mielie fields near his house.
Mokonyane and East Rand acting area commissioner Leah Mofomme condemned the attack.
"This should not be happening - it is an attack on our democracy," Mofomme said.
Mokonyane added: "The best solution to stop the killing of police officers is for police to keep their guns in the safe at work, so that the guns do not end up in the wrong hands.
"Police are vulnerable, and they become victims of the criminals because they want guns."
The MEC added: "These gun-crazy elements need to be brought to book."
No arrests had been made in connection with the murder.
Apart from his widow, Mthethwa is survived by five children.