A VIP Protection Unit member has been found guilty of killing three people in a church shooting spree in Centane, Eastern Cape.
Warrant Officer Ronny Doko, who served the SAPS elite unit at its Mthatha site, was found guilty by the High Court of South Africa sitting in Butterworth on Wednesday.
Doko murdered his pastor, a worshipper and the village induna (traditional leader) in May 5 2021 over a land dispute at KwaNontshinga village in Centane. The fourth person shot during Doko’s rage survived with injuries.
Doko had allegedly borrowed a piece of land from the traditional leader, even though the land apparently belonged to a local church group. And when the church began building a hall on the land, Doko angrily approached the traditional leader.
The heavily armed cop insisted the leader accompany him to the church, to get the explanation from the pastor, according to the state.
The confrontation at the church turned into a fiery dispute leading to Doko pulling a firearm and started shooting at the people around him.
Doko will know his fate on November 22, when his sentencing hearing will be heard.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) welcomed the conviction of Doko for his murders.
Ipid spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said: “The [shooting] incident was reported to the office of the Ipid Eastern Cape office [in East London]. After a thorough investigation that was done by the Ipid senior investigator, Nosipho Bawuti, a docket was handed to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for a decision.”
Shuping further said: “The Ipid commends the good work that was done by the senior investigator and the prosecutors in ensuring justice for the victims.”
