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Tonga - A murder case against eight people implicated in killing an Mpumalanga policeman has been provisionally struck off the roll at the Tonga magistrate's court.
Magistrate Samson Phiri did not give reasons for his decision on Thursday.
The eight, who were never asked plead to charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder - were accused of killing Constable Sfiso Mtsweni (27) at his home in Langeloop south of Malalane on 8 November 2013.
His murder outraged local police leaders who railed at his funeral against those who fail to protect cops.
“People have turned into animals. How can we kill each other like this? We know some community members knew about the plan to kill Mtshweni, but they kept quiet," said Stanley Madonsela, chairperson of the Komatipoort Community Police Forum.
Madonsela said police officers should be kept safe in order for them to be able to protect community members.
"The number of police officers is fewer than the number of the general public, so it's in our hands to make sure police are safe so they can protect us.
"I’m wondering where the cellphones cameras were when Sfiso was killed? We have seen a lot of outburst by the public when people were killed by the police and people forget that police are also human beings, not born in a tree. Where is the national media now?” said Madonsela, angrily.
Only four of the accused are out on the street, however.
They are Teresa Mabaso , 32, and Mpendulo Makamo, 25, both from Langeloop, and
Soneni Mhlabane, 27, and Absalom Nkosi, 25, both from Matsulu near Mbombela.
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The other four - Sindi Mvubu , 23, Victor Sibiya, 23, Wiseman Ngomane, 30, Absalom Nkosi, 25, and Innocent Lucas Ngomane, 30 - are being kept in custody as there are other cases pending against them.
