The family of the man who was killed during clashes over the disconnection of illegal electricity in Alexandra, northern Johannesburg, says he was at the forefront of protecting Alex Mall from looters during the violent protests in July.
Mduduzi Sithole, 27, was killed in London Road near the mall after a security guard from the shopping centre allegedly fired a shot towards a large crowd protesting against the disconnections conducted by City Power last week.
The guard was arrested last week and appeared in the Alexandra magistrate’s court on Thursday charged responsible for Sithole’s death.
Sithole lived in River Park, Alexandra – the site of the illegal connections.
His brother, Mzwenhlanhla, 25, described him as a someone who was not a troublemaker.
“Every time there were power cuts, Mduduzi and his fellow residents would conduct a peaceful protest. They would not fight with anyone or cause damage to property. He was not a criminal. During the lootings they protected the Alex Mall because it is their mall,” said Mzwenhlanhla.
“I really don’t understand why the security guard shot him. He protected the mall and when he fights for his right to get electricity, he is killed. Why did the guard leave his workstation in the mall and go outside the mall and shot at him when my brother was nowhere near the mall.”
The man accused of Sithole’s killing, Elvis Excellence Mkhonto, 43, made a brief appearance in court on Thursday. .
The court room was packed with Sithole’s family and friends. Dozens of River Park residents picketed outside the court demanding justice for Sithole. They sang and chanted songs while carrying placards, some of which read: “River Park flats wants Justice for Jobe”. “A soldier has fallen fighting for services at River Park flats.”
The matter was postponed to October 8 by magistrate Gideon Schnetler for a formal bail application.
“We want to see justice being served and the security guard getting a punishment he deserves. He should get a life sentence and rot in jail because we don’t know why he did what he did,” he said.
“Why did he shoot my brother? Those people were just protesting on the road and far away from the mall. Mduduzi was part of the protest and he was not pushing the gate of the mall or pushing the fence. He didn’t have any knife or dangerous weapons. Why was he shot.”
Sithole will be buried on Saturday at his birthplace of Pomeroy in KwaZulu-Natal.
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