The police in Qwaqwa in the Free State have opened a case of culpable homicide for investigation after the death of 15-year-old Mbuyiswa Buthelezi. The teenage boy died after a bakkie ran over him on Sunday (26/06) in the Beruit township. The incident occurred during a rowdy community protest over a power outage in the township on the day in question.
It is alleged the vehicle from which the boy fell was loaded with old tyres, which angry protesters used to barricade roads.Capt. Phumelelo Dhlamini, spokesperson, said the driver, Malawian national Kamiso Saidi (42), faces a charge of culpable homicide following his arrest regarding the boy’s death. He said the charge had been changed from what it initially was, after preliminary findings surrounding the incident.
The driver appeared in the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 28 June, and was granted bail of R500. He briefly appeared in court together with four men facing a charge of public violence. They are Mkhwanazi Madoda (37), Moloi Mohlaodi (26), Tiisetso Lukana (37) and Tiisetso Ngoni (38). Their case was postponed to 29 July. The men were arrested during the protest on Sunday. The police had to use stun grenades to disperse rowdy protesters, resulting in all of them fleeing. Dhlamini said the police were still in the area to maintain law and order, guarding businesses that include the Maluti Crescent Mall and the Setsing Complex, from being targeted.
