The police constable involved in the fatal shooting of a man in Makhado (Louis Trichardt) last year has been charged with murder.

Const Ndivhuwo Caroline Mushiane (32) of the Makhado SAPS appeared in the Louis Trichardt Regional Court on Monday. The murder case was opened, following the fatal shooting of the 33-year-old Mr Justice Mulaudzi in August last year. Mulaudzi was shot in the head during an altercation with the constable near the railway crossing in Grobler Street.

At the time, police said that Mushiane was on a routine patrol with another constable when they spotted Mulaudzi. They noticed that he seemed to be under the influence of alcohol. Mushiane and the second constable tried to question Mulaudzi, but he allegedly refused to give his cooperation. When the police constables ordered him to get into the back of their patrol vehicle, he lost his temper and became aggressive, allegedly snatching one of their service pistols. A struggle for the weapon ensued in which Mulaudzi was shot.

At first, the Makhado SAPS opened an inquest docket regarding Mulaudzi’s death. Soon afterwards, however, the charge was changed to murder when the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) got involved in the investigation. They ordered ballistic reports on both constables’ pistols.

Based on these reports and other witnesses' statements, the Zoutpansberger has learned, the State decided to put Mushiane on trial for Mulaudzi’s death. After a brief court appearance, Mushiane’s case was postponed until 12 June for trial.