Nathaniel Julius: Implicated police officers to appear in court

The two police officers linked to the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Nathaniel Julius are expected to make an appearance before the Protea Magistrate’ Court on Monday, August 31, 2020.

An office is alleged to have fatally shot Julius on Wednesday, 26 August 2020, while the teenage boy was out to get food from a nearby tuckshop in Eldorado Park, south of Johannesburg. His death sparked outrage amongst community members, who have demanded justice for Julius, who lived with Down syndrome.

According to reports, police had approached the boy and asked him a series of questions, but had become frustrated with his responses.

He was the rushed to Chris Baragwanath Hospital where he subsequently died.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) confirmed that two officers were arrested on Friday.

“The pair will be charged with murder and possibly defeating the ends of justice. The two South African Police Service members are attached to the Eldorado Park crime prevention unit. Further details regarding the case will only be made available once the pair have appeared in the Protea Magistrate’s Court”, Ipid spokesperson Ndileka Cola said.

Cola said it had initially been difficult for investigators to comb through the scene due to protesting community members.

“The Ipid investigators struggled to access the scene as the situation had been volatile. When they ultimately managed to access it, it was almost impossible to conduct interviews as the community was violent”

Cele: ‘We don’t want to be seen as interfering’

Police Minister Bheki Cele visited the family and assured that if the officers are found to have been responsible for killing Julius, heads would roll.

“We don’t want the police to be seen interfering on the matter. So, we will find a way and we will find the answers and whoever did it will have to face the law”, Cele said.

There could be a complication in the matter as Ipid said it had received a preliminary report which indicated that the gun allegedly used was not the one used by the officer in question.

Julius’ death has also prompted a response from President Cyril Ramaphosa, who said his passing was a matter of great concern.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family and neighbours of Nathaniel who has, as a 16-year-old, been deprived of a future and whose tragic death has given rise to anger and unrest in a community that deserves better”, Ramaphosa said.