The family of Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officer Linda Mthimkhulu, who was allegedly fatally shot in the head by SAPS members in her home in Soweto two weeks ago, is tracking crucial video footage that would expose the police’s acts of brutality on that fateful day.
The resident, who is in possession of the video footage, has asked Mthimkhulu’s family to follow a legal process to access and download the tape that captured the incident.
Sunday World learned that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) has also taken steps to retrieve the video footage as part of its investigation into the shooting incident.
Speaking under anonymity, a family member of Mthimkhulu claimed the video footage would reveal that the SAPS members’ version of the incident was inconsistent with how it actually unfolded and was a deliberate attempt to hide their brutality.
According to the police, the SAPS officers were pursuing the deceased metro cop’s son in an unmarked Toyota Land Cruiser for driving recklessly on the road. He allegedly refused to stop when they ordered him to do so.
Mthimkhulu’s son only stopped when they arrived outside his house on Monaisa Street. She allegedly came out of her house and started shooting at them, and the police returned fire, fatally wounding her.
Mthimkhulu’s elderly mother, the cop’s son, and a friend were detained for interference.
However, the elderly mother was later released on the scene, while Mthimkhulu’s son and his friend were arrested and taken to Dobsonville police station, where they were charged.
Sunday World learned that the charges against Mthimkhulu’s son and his friend were later withdrawn and that they had already retrieved their bail money on Wednesday last week from the station.
In his version, the relative alleged that the off-duty SAPS members involved assaulted Mthimkhulu’s son when he stopped outside his house, and “it is a lie that he was resisting arrest”.
The relative said the police officers assaulted Mthimkhulu when she arrived at the scene, but she refrained from firing at them. Her shooter allegedly emptied the cartridge, inserted a fresh one, and subsequently removed some of the bullet casings from the scene.
Sunday World has heard voice notes sent to a WhatsApp group of law enforcement officers after the incident.
In the voice note, one of the SAPS members involved states that the deceased officer “tried” to shoot at them.
The audio recording raised questions about why the SAPS officers would say Mthimkhulu “tried” to shoot when the SAPS media statement states that the deceased indeed opened fire at the SAPS members.
Further, when the SAPS member (whose name is known to Sunday World) made the voice notes, his SAPS colleague who allegedly shot Mthimkhulu made the following comment in the background in isiZulu “Eh, I have shot so much.”
Ipid spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said investigations were ongoing.
“We are not in a position to respond to these allegations until the investigations are finalised.”
Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo said the SAPS was no longer commenting on the matter to allow the Ipid’s investigation processes to take place without any interference. “All those allegations will be investigated by Ipid.”
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said Mthimkhulu’s passing was deeply saddening.
“Officer Mthimkhulu was off-duty at the time of the incident, and her death is currently being investigated by Ipid. Therefore, the department cannot provide any further comments at this time,” Fihla said.
He added: “The leadership of JMPD and SAPS needs to discuss the matter. This is a serious issue, as people are losing their lives.”
