Defense Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula expressed her condolences to a man from Alexandra in Johannesburg who was allegedly killed, allegedly by members of the army. This while enforcing the regulations of the state of complete seclusion.
“The investigation is being conducted by the police, the military police as well as the army ombudsman’s office,” the minister said.
“At this stage we are not in a position to say what the next step will be. As South Africans, we regret what happened and we regret it. We do not know what the circumstances were, but the investigation that is underway will shed more light and will determine the way forward. ”
40-year-old Collins Khoza died after soldiers allegedly assaulted him. According to reports, neighbors said a group of people were having a drink in their yard when a soldier wanted to know why they were drinking and not in the house.
More soldiers apparently arrived and Khoza was severely assaulted. When his wife found him unconscious later that evening, an ambulance was called. Paramedics declared him dead, and a murder case was pending.
Mapisa-Nqakula assured South Africans that the “right will take its course”. She also called on residents to stay in their homes for the duration of the seclusion that Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa announced to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.
“People have to stay home. They should not go out to see what the soldiers are doing in the streets or to provoke them.
“Security forces have not been deployed because there is a fight raging or there is volatility in the country. They are being deployed nationwide because there is a pandemic, not only in South Africa, but worldwide. “
According to the minister, the government is not insensitive about Khoza’s death because the government did not provide comprehensive comments on it.
“We lower our heads in shame. We lost someone in one of the communities. We’re not going to defend what happened, but it’s also important for people to give us time to investigate the circumstances under which the man died in Alex, “she said.
A government and military delegation visited Khoza’s family to express their condolences and they were “well received,” Mapisa-Nqakula said.
The civil rights group #NotInMyName overtook the police and army after Khoza’s death. Themba Masango, secretary general of the group, said the military and police are selective in how they apply the law when enforcing the regulations.
“Unfortunately, the police and the army were under fire for the enforcement of regulations based on race and class; Poorer communities are the target of cruelty and a general violation of basic human rights, ”Masango said.
“The penalty for violating seclusion regulations is also not uniform for ordinary people and government leaders.
