Africa-Press – South-Africa. An Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) officer accused of murder and attempted murder has said his health will be compromised if he should be denied bail and remain in custody.
Laurens Daniel Venter, 49, told the Tsakane Magistrate’s Court in Gauteng on Thursday that he had recently received a new kidney prior to his arrest.
Venter didn’t mention when he underwent the operation, but said he survived by taking medication daily.
“I have a compromised immune system following a transplant operation. I rely on medication to improve my immune system. I also have to use a clean toilet to avoid infections,” said Venter.
7 EMPD officers behind bars after arrest for murder
Venter; Nkululeko Walter Mtetwa, 36; Daniel Eric van Wyk, 39; Gideon Johannes Myburg, 60; Justin Sibusiso Ncube, 50; Thamodhran Pillay, 50; and Eugene Phillip Raubenheimer, 62, face charges of murder, attempted murder and defeating the ends of justice.
They are all applying for bail.
It is alleged that on 8 September, the seven officers shot dead a 19-year-old man and injured a 29-year-old man in Langaville, Extension 6, Tsakane.
Venter said they cooperated with Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) investigators and handed over their cellphones and service pistols to the directorate for investigation.
He denied that they had fled the scene after the incident.
Venter said:
However, prosecutor Nthabiseng Mabalane put it to Venter that eyewitnesses saw the seven officers standing on a street corner making plans to obstruct justice.
“Had it not been for the active participation of the community, you would have gotten away with the crime. They had to drag you [to the police station] to report the matter, which was later reported [to the police] at 01:30,” Mabalane said.
“The deceased was screaming at the top of his voice and shouting why are you killing him (sic). According to eyewitnesses, they heard some officers repeatedly shouting, saying, ‘pull him’.
“What makes your version untrue is that a witness heard the deceased screaming outside. The witness wanted to go and help the victim. He was then stopped inside a shack and assaulted,” Mabalane added.
Venter denied all the allegations put to him by the State.
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He said:
Venter added that he later called the IPID number and was told that they should not return to the scene because it was a crime scene.
He claimed that after a case was opened, a police officer at Tsakane police station warned them not to return to Langaville because “of the volatility of the place, as residents were angry”.
Venter claimed that he and his team, who are attached to the EMPD Tracing Unit, were conducting an intelligence-driven operation that led them to Langaville.
He added that they were travelling with an informer.
The hearing will continue on 6 October.
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