Ennerdale school shooting: Father who accidentaly shot son to be prosecuted

The Johannesburg father who shot and killed his son, claiming he thought he was a hijacker will now be prosecuted for the boy’s death.

Emmanuel Tshabalala fatally shot his 16-year-old son, Luyanda outside Fred Norman Secondary School in Ennerdale last month, after he had dropped him off for evening classes, then fell asleep while waiting for him to return. He claimed he was startled by the boy as he knocked on his car window and opened fire, wounding him fatally.

On Tuesday he appeared in the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court where he is facing a charge of murder.

Read: Gauteng father to face murder charge after “accidentally” shooting son

During his court appearance, he heard that the Director of Public Prosecutions had decided had decided that he will be prosecuted and is set to appear in the South Gauteng High Court.

“We are yet to finalise the investigations as we are waiting for the ballistic report and photographs from the scene,” Prosecutor Tumi Maunye told the court.

“I have also attached a letter from the DPP indicating that the matter will be transferred to the High Court.”

Tshabalala, an employee of the South African Police Services (SAPS), first appeared at the Lenasia Magistrate’s court for his bail hearing, shortly after the shooting incident.

The State did not oppose bail as they took into account the fact that he co-operated with the police and handed himself over to police the morning after the night of the tragedy.

Upon being released on a warning, Tshabalala broke down into tears and was comforted by his wife.

Police are investigating different angles of what led to the incident after the Gauteng Department of Education said that some learners had claimed that they witnessed a scuffle between father and son some hours before the shooting.

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