Joburg Metro cop sentenced to 15 years for murder

Mbuso Phakathi fired shots at 27-year-old Neo Masemola and other people with his service firearm at the Rockafella Tavern on 4 February this year.

A 36-year-old Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) constable was sentenced to an effective 15 years for murder, attempted murder and assault, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) said today.

Mbuso Phakathi was sentenced by the Palm Ridge High Court on Monday on one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of assault after an investigation by the Ipid. The sentences for attempted murder and assault are to run concurrently.

According to the Ipid, Phakathi was arrested on February 4 at Moroka SAPS after he fired shots at 27-year-old Neo Masemola and other people with his service firearm at the Rockafella Tavern.

“Masemola was shot in the head at close range, two other victims sustained gunshot injuries. The accused went on to bump another victim with his car and drove off,” Ipid said in a statement.

The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm

Source: The Citizen