NATIONAL NEWS - A bail judgment for a local police officer, Constable Lebohang Ndlovu — charged with killing three men in France, Pietermaritzburg — is set to be delivered on Thursday.
Ndlovu appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday where the matter was adjourned to Thursday for a decision on his bail application.
In an affidavit seen by The Witness, the 26-year-old pleaded not guilty to all crimes that were committed on June 25, 2022, at France Phase 5, where he allegedly shot and killed Mthokozisi Ngcobo (31), Bheki Jojo (31) and Bonga Ngubane (31).
Ndlovu said on that day he was at his place with his friend and they decided to go and meet a few other friends.
He said they decided to take a walk and he carried his state-issued firearm since it was in the evening, and as he was aware of the high levels of crime in the area.
He said he also feared that his firearm would be stolen if he left it at home because of the high rate of burglaries in the area.
On his way back home, Ndlovu said he decided to stop at Ngubane’s home, as he (Ngubane) owed him money. He said he found him with Jojo and Ngcobo.
It seems they had been consuming alcohol. He said after chatting for a while, we moved on to the topic of him having owed me some money from some time prior and the conversation got heated.
One of the occupants in that home then reached for the belt area of his pants.
I immediately realised that he was drawing a firearm.
He said they then began to tussle for the firearm.
In the ensuing struggle, the firearm went off while still in the hand of the gentleman. I cannot safely say if that discharged bullet had struck any person or thing.
Ndlovu said as the struggle for the firearm continued, he felt himself being grabbed from behind by one of the men who was present at the time.
The police officer said the man had a knife which he used to stab him in the leg.
He said he managed to get the firearm from one of the men and two others still fought for it.
I then shot one of the men and then the other gentleman. I do not remember shooting the third person but I am aware that there were three dead bodies on the scene.
I then took the firearm that was used with the intention of handing it into the police services and reporting the matter …
Ndlovu said he then went to the police station to report the matter and handed over the firearm.
The State is opposing Ndlovu’s bail application.
