Cops in Alex shoot-out that killed newlywed Samantha Mathane charged with murder

The two Alexandra police officers who allegedly shot and killed Samantha Mathane have been charged with murder and attempted murder.

Malesela Frans Kganyago and Wisani Redgement Chabani appeared in the Alexandra magistrate's court on Friday for allegedly firing the bullets that killed Samantha Mathane last year.
Malesela Frans Kganyago and Wisani Redgement Chabani appeared in the Alexandra magistrate's court on Friday for allegedly firing the bullets that killed Samantha Mathane last year. (Supplied)

The two Alexandra police officers who allegedly shot and killed Samantha Mathane have been charged with murder and attempted murder.

Malesela Frans Kganyago, 36, and Wisani Redgement Chabani appeared briefly in the Alexandra magistrate's court on Friday.

The matter was postponed to October 29 for them to obtain legal representation.

The pair were implicated in the murder of newlywed Mathane, who was shot in the back a few metres from her home after she got off a taxi on her return from work.

The incident on January 15 sparked protests in the township, with residents demanding justice.

The community of Alexandra maintained that the fatal shot came from a police officer's gun.

“It is alleged that Samantha was shot while the police were pursuing a suspect of a motor vehicle hijacking earlier this year, she was on her way home,” Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) spokesperson Ndileka Cola said.

Shortly after the shooting, Ipid announced that the police officers involved in the shoot-out with an alleged hijacker in Alexandra may be charged with murder, if it was established that their firearms shot and killed Mathane.

At the time, it was not clear between the police and the suspect who had fired the fatal shot.

Another bystander was also shot, and taken to hospital in a critical condition.

Police were reportedly on a routine patrol when they spotted a vehicle that had been hijacked from the Marlboro Gautrain Station earlier in the day.

They tried to stop the car, but the occupant pulled out a firearm and shot at the police, who then retaliated.

The alleged hijacker was later arrested.


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