PORT ELIZABETH, February 21 (ANA) – A police officer described to the Port Elizabeth High Court on Tuesday, how he watched the last moments of a young cop’s life as he was gunned down and left for dead.
Charles Nqaba and Jabulani Mkaba are on trial for the murder of Constable Devin Hattingh.
The father of three was allegedly killed while escorting a truck to Motherwell during July 2014. At the time he was off duty and doing extra work to supplement his income.
Hattingh, and his wife Blanche, were both stationed at Mount Road police station. On the day of his killing, the couple had worked their last shift together.
Blanche still drives the same silver VW polo that her husband was allegedly gunned down in while sitting in the driver’s seat.
In giving evidence on Tuesday, Constable Vuyani Libi, said that he was busy with patrols in Motherwell with two colleagues when they heard gunshots.
Libi said that whilst driving he approached robots and saw a man standing next to the VW polo who was shooting.
He said he saw Nqaba carrying a black firearm and he stopped the vehicle immediately.
“The person who was next to the Polo he [would have] heard screeching of a vehicle, he turned around and looked in our direction and fired one shot in our direction,” said Libi.
According to Libi the alleged shooter then ran off.
Police members then got out of the vehicle to search for the man and saw a white Ford Fiesta in the next street.
“The person who fired shots at a silver polo was the same person who was driving a Ford Fiesta,”
Both men are facing charges of murder, attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition.
The trial continues on Wednesday.
– African News Agency (ANA)
