THE suspect who allegedly shot and killed two cops near the Diamond Mall in Kimberley, Northern Cape was supposed to be in prison.
This was revealed by Police Minister Bheki Cele on Wednesday, 23 August.
Sergeant Kedimetse Masilo (45) and Constable Okaetse Mandindi (35) were shot dead while trying to trace a stolen car allegedly by the suspect, who managed to overpower and shot them with their R5 rifle on Tuesday, 22 August.
Cele said he was supposed to start at the opening of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) Indaba on Wednesday, 23 August. However, the practicalities and logical things took him to the Northern Cape, where two officers were shot and killed.
He said: "It's unfortunate that they were killed with their tool. This criminal took their R5 rifle and shot the two officers, Masilo and Mandindi, who left very young children."
He said the suspect shot them four times, each killing them.
"But we have discovered that the suspect has his illegal firearm. What's painful as you follow the story is that this guy is supposed to be in prison.
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"The suspect had been arrested eight times appearing in court after being arrested by the police, and several times these cases are withdrawn. But sometimes even when he has been found guilty and sentenced, you find that the sentence is suspended itself, the fine is suspended, and the guy is walking around."
The minister said the suspect was causing crime all over the Eastern Cape, Gauteng and Northern Cape, where he has killed our officers.
"We hope this time the courts and the justice system will be stronger to keep that guy inside and ensure that it is not a person that should be given the right to be moving around since, finally, he has caused a lot of damage by killing these two members," said Cele.
National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola has commended the police for the swift arrest of the 38-year-old suspect who shot and killed two police officers.
According to national police spokeswoman Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, Masilo joined the service in 2007, and Mandindi joined in 2012.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Kimberley Magistrates Court on Thursday, 24 August, on several charges, including two counts of murder.
