Law Enforcement officer accused of murdering homeless man released on R1000 bail

The 22-year-old Cape Town Law Enforcement officer accused of shooting and killing a homeless man on Sunday morning, 9 January, made his first appearance before the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

LUVOWETHU KATI APPEARS IN COURT

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in the Western Cape Eric Ntabazalila said Luvowethu Kati was charged with murder on Tuesday morning.

“The accused was released on bail of R1000 and his case was postponed to 12 April 2022 for further investigation,” said Ntabazalila.

The accused allegedly shot a 38-year-old man in Chester Road, Rondebosch on Sunday at approximately 10:00.

The law enforcement officer was reportedly responding to a complaint about homeless people starting a fire to cook their food. A physical altercation broke out and the deceased was shot in the face.

CAPE TOWN LAW ENFORCEMENT UNDER SCRUTINY

GOOD Party Secretary-General Brett Herron condemned the shooting and said the incident raised questions about the City of Cape Town’s Municipal Police Service and Safety and Security Investigations Unit (SSIU).

“The dangerous conditions under which many communities live are made even more dangerous by uniformed but undertrained law enforcement officers.

“Shooting someone dead over a pot of food also, once again, underscores the DA-led City’s deplorable victimisation of homeless people,” said Herron.

The City of Cape Town confirmed the shooting late on Monday afternoon and said the incident involved a Law Enforcement officer, adding that all enquiries about the matter should be directed to the police.

“The City views the incident in a very serious light and will cooperate with the investigation, where needed.

“Furthermore, the City will follow the prescribed labour related laws and policies applicable to this matter.”

Herron recently called on the national police to look into the City’s law enforcement and special investigating units.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis accused Herron of trying to undermine the City’s local policing powers “in an effort to strengthen the hand of national Police Minister Bheki Cele,” in a statement in which he refers to “the failing national state” three times.

“Unlike Herron, this administration is not prepared to sacrifice these law enforcement successes and the safety of Capetonians merely to please Cele and the national government,” said the Cape Town mayor.