Cop who allegedly shot son he ‘mistook for intruder’ released on bail

A Durban police officer who was accused of shooting and killing his 10-year-old son has been released on bail. Hlonipani Maxwell Luthuli faces a charge of murder for his son’s death, who he reportedly mistook for an intruder.

The 40-year-old man was reportedly released on R2 000 bail, revealed spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Natasha Ramkisson-Kara. Luthuli, on 24 June, made his second appearance before the Durban Magistrate’s Court.

How did Luthuli’s 10-year-old son die?

The incident reportedly occurred at around 10:00 at Queen Elizabeth Avenue in Manor Gardens on Sunday, 19 June. Spokepserson for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) Lizzy Suping said it was alleged that Luthuli was asleep when he heard his son shouting for help.

“It is alleged a man was asleep when he heard his son shouting for help. When he woke up he saw an unknown man at the window. He fetched his firearm and fired shots through the window,”

said Suping.

He was unaware that his son was outside. The 10-year-old sustained bullet wounds to his chest and foot. He died upon arrival at hospital. At the time of the shooting, Suping said that IPID was investigating a case where “a police officer fatally wounded his son with his service pistol over the weekend after he mistook him for an intruder”.

The court case

According to Suping, Luthuli’s bail conditions include not being allowed contact with witnesses. He was also instructed to hand in all travel documents to the investigating office within 24 hours.

The case has been adjourned to 16 June for further investigations, reports IOL.

Free State mother detained after poisoning her three children and their father

In other news making headlines, it was previously reported that Maphephi Alinah Mokwena, a mother from Free State has admitted to poisoning her three daughters and their father.

On Friday, the mother and the children’s aunt, Mantwa Maria Mokwena, 21, appeared before the Bethlehem Magistrates Court in Free State on three counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder. The father, 49, and two girls, aged 14 and 10 years died of poisoning, whilst a third girl aged 11 survived.

According to police, on Wednesday morning, 22 June 2022, the deceased were served brown bean soup by Maria Mokwena before they went to school and work. Read the full story here.