Family Outraged After Durbanville Police Officer In Murder Case Granted Bail

The family of Sikelela Tshota, a 23-year-old man who was tragically shot and killed in Fisantekraal, is speaking out in shock and anger after learning that the police officer accused of his murder, Funisile Xhego, was granted bail.

The case, which was registered on 20 September 2024, has sparked outrage among the Tshota family, who are demanding justice.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: SA Musician Yolanda ‘Yallunder’ Nyembezi Dies In Hospital

The young man, was a breadwinner and worked in construction.

Shooting Incident And Police Response Raises Questions

The Tshota family recounts the events of that fateful evening when Sikelela and his friends were sitting around a fire in the cold.

As a police patrol passed by, they decided to move away to avoid confrontation, fearing assault.

However, as they attempted to flee, they heard a gunshot, and Sikelela fell to the ground, telling his friends he had been shot.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Scorpion Kings Done For Good? Kabza And DJ Maphorisa Unfollow Each Other On Insta

“The police said they fired a warning shot in the air, but why did they use live ammunition?” questioned the family spokesman.

The group of friends, along with the police and law enforcement, discovered that Sikelela had been shot and was bleeding.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Christian Organisation KwaSizabantu Mission Faces Disturbing Allegations Of Child Abuse And Rape

Despite the police’s claim that the shot was a warning, the family believes this explanation is inconsistent with the evidence.

Ballistic testing later revealed that the bullet that killed Sikelela came from a firearm issued to Officer Funisile Xhego, raising serious concerns about the officer’s conduct.

The Tshota’s claims that the police attempted to shift the blame onto someone else, but the ballistic evidence made it clear that the officer’s firearm was responsible for the fatal shot.

Family’s Demand For Justice And Concerns Over Officer’s Bail

They are demanding answers from law enforcement.

They are particularly outraged by the fact that Officer Xhego was granted bail, despite the serious nature of the charges.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Minnie Dlamini Secures First-Ever Forbes Award And She’s Living Her Best Life

“We want to know why the cop is out on bail,” our son was killed in cold blood, and yet the officer who took his life is walking free,”the spokesperson said.

Their  frustration is compounded by the lack of follow-up from police after the incident. “Police did not follow up with us until a detective was assigned, and it was clear they wanted to sweep this under the carpet,” the family claims.

In response to this perceived neglect, police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk, said the case is currently being investigated by IPID.

He said, “the case is in the hands of IPID, and their communication department is in a far better position to facilitate your questions further.”

However, IPID spokesperson Phaladi Shuping did not respond to multiple queries regarding the ongoing investigation.

---

For SA Crime News Follow SurgeZirc SA on Facebook,  X and Instagram