Johannesburg – Four police officers were arrested on Friday morning for the fatal shooting of a protester in Roodepoort, Gauteng police said.

“After receiving the initial factual report on the incident it was decided that there is enough evidence to arrest and charge the member who fired the shots for murder as well as defeating the ends [of justice] and the others for defeating the ends of justice,” said Brigadier Neville Malila.

“The four members between the ages of 33 and 49 years old, were all arrested in the early hours of this morning on charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice.”

Suspended

Malila said provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Lesetja Mothiba viewed the shooting in “a very serious light”.

“The members are deemed to be suspended as they were arrested and detained on the criminal charges.”

The four officers were expected to appear in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court soon.

Residents of Durban Deep, on the West Rand, took to the streets on Thursday to protest against an eviction order and a lack of housing.

A 28-year-old man, Tshepo Babuseng, was shot dead, allegedly by a policeman, after protesting residents barricaded roads with stones and burning tyres.

SAPA