Victim’s family pleased with verdict against security guard

The family of the Vosloorus man who was shot and killed by a security guard during a scuffle, which involved Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officers, is pleased that the person behind the crime has finally been found guilty.

On Thursday, the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg found security guard Siphiwe George Ndlovu guilty of murder, three counts of attempted murder and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Ndlovu took a firearm belonging to an EMPD officer and fired the shots that killed Sibusiso Amos on March 29 last year.

At the time, EMPD officers were patrolling the area when they noticed people drinking alcohol at a tavern.

The officers were enforcing the Covid-19 lockdown regulations when community members attacked them while attempting to make an arrest.

In retaliation, the police then discharged rubber bullets. It is further alleged that the deceased was followed up to his veranda where he was fatally shot.

Three children aged five, six and a twin aged 11 were injured in the shooting.

Amos, 40, was shot inside his yard after an argument broke out between him and EMPD officers that were chasing patrons from a nearby tavern.

Ntombikayise Amos, the cousin to the deceased, said seeing the case being resolved brought some relief to the family.

“We just wanted to see justice served. As a family we are really very pleased about the outcome of the case today. We did not want this to be swept under the carpet or forgotten. It is going to help with our healing process to know that something was done. Seeing it happening through the justice system will be a very big boost towards our healing process,” Ntombikayise said.

She added that while they were happy that Ndlovu was found guilty, sitting through the trial had not been easy.

“It was emotionally draining. It was a lot to relief this moment, over and over again. Unfortunately, we could not press pause...We wanted a resolution as quickly as possible. We needed to know what the justice system was doing about it,” Ntombikayise said.

Amos was shot at close range while standing behind a locked burglar gate. The bullet was fired from one of the EMPD officer’s shotgun.

Ndlovu told the court that he picked up the gun soon after the officer fell down after an attack from community members. He said he saw a scuffle inside the yard between Amos and EMPD officers and then fired shots to scare him.

But state advocate Rolene Barnard argued that Ndlovu was a former police officer knowledgeable about gun handling and what precautionary measures to take when using firearms. Barnard argued that the court should consider that Amos was shot at the “sanctity of his own home, unarmed and without any provocation”.

The court rejected Ndlovu’s version of events as highly improbable.

The case was postponed to June 29 for arguments in mitigation and aggravation of sentence.