RESIDENTS of Eldorado Park have called on Police Minister Bheki Cele to remove the police officers who gunned down 16-year-old Nathaniel Julius from the SA Police Services (SAPS).
Julius, a Down Syndrome sufferer, was killed near his home in Eldorado Park on Wednesday night by police officers.
The police officers claim he was caught in the crossfire between them and alleged gangsters.
The teenager’s family said he had run out of the house to try and find food and as he was outside, a police van pulled by and switched the emergency lights on.
The family said he allegedly got excited, and the police allegedly shot at him.
Nathaniel was then transported at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital where he later died.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said his thoughts were with the 16-year-old’s family and neighbours.
“Nathaniel Julius as a 16-year-old has been deprived of a future and his tragic death has given rise to anger and unrest in a community that deserves better,” said Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa urged residents of Eldorado Park to assist the Independent Police Investigative Directorate in establishing the facts and the culpability or otherwise of any member or members of the South African Police Service in the tragic incident which took place on Wednesday evening.
“Justice can only prevail if community workers work with our criminal justice system to address alleged injustice or abuse,” said Ramaphosa.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has called for the officer who killed the 16-year-old to be jailed and prosecuted with no bail.
The party said the police are there to protect and defend the citizens of this country, not to terrorise and kill them.
“We demand the police who shot and killed the innocent child to be suspended with immediate effect. The police officer must be immediately put to jail with no bail and must be criminally prosecuted,” said EFF spokesperson Vuyani Pambo.
Cele visited the family on Friday afternoon.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has launched an investigation into death of the teenager.
(COMPILED BY INSIDE POLITICS STAFF)
