- The family of a slain off-duty policeman has lost confidence in the Eldorado Park police station.
- The family has pleaded for his murder case to be transferred to either the Gauteng province or Hawks.
- The officer was shot and killed at a party in the suburb, while his friend was shot and wounded.
The family of a slain off-duty police officer is asking that his murder docket be moved from the Eldorado Park police station.
They said they have lost confidence in the police station.
Family spokesperson Neil Christian added Richard Johnson, 32, was at a party in the suburb when he was shot and killed on Sunday night.
Johnson was attached to the Brixton police station.
"There was an altercation between two people. Johnson tried to break up the fight. He was then shot three times. We didn't know his alleged murderer before his arrest. We only knew his identity after he was described to us.
"The suspect is currently in police custody after he handed himself over at the Eldorado Park police station," said Christian.
"I feel wrecked. I feel like a part of my body has been ripped apart. We want justice. We want the law to take its course even though it won't bring back his life. We hope that since the suspect handed himself over to the police, the matter would be easily completed.
No confidence
"We have lost confidence in the Eldorado Park police station. There have been damning allegations against the police station. There is a dark cloud hovering above our police station.
"We think that the matter should be handed to the province or Hawks for investigation."
He cited the recent murder trial of Nateniël Julies, 16, as an example of what is happening at the police station.
Three Eldorado Park police officers sergeants Simon Scorpion Ndyalvane and Forster Netshiongolo as well as Constable Caylene Whiteboy are standing trial for allegedly taking part in Julies' killing outside his home in August last year.
Julies, who had Down Syndrome, was eating biscuits when he was shot and killed by officers who allegedly used prohibited ammunition.
The teenager sustained 189 pellet wounds fired from a shotgun belonging to the Eldorado Park police station.
The trial will continue in the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg next year.
Meanwhile, Rukshana Louw, who was celebrating her 27th birthday when Johnson and his friends arrived, described him as a family friend.
"We were partying when the suspect started fighting with people I had invited to my party. He was not invited, and I don't know who invited him.
"Around 23:00, my boyfriend called me and said someone was fighting with my guests outside. I went outside and saw Johnson lying motionless near our gate. He had been shot in the head. His eyes were rolling backwards. We then covered him with a blanket while waiting for an ambulance.
Louw said:
An eyewitness, who refused to be identified, said the suspect first opened fire at a partygoer before attacking Johnson.
"I saw everything. The suspect first shot Johnson's friend. Johnson introduced himself to the suspect as a police officer. Johnson then asked him why he shot his friend. The suspect responded by insulting at Johnson.
"Johnson walked away to his car, and the suspect followed and fired at him. I heard four shots. He shot him twice in the head and one in his body. One bullet missed Johnson," the eyewitness added.
Police spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe said the suspect handed himself over to the police after allegedly shooting Johnson and his friend.
Johnson succumbed to his injuries while his friend was rushed to hospital.
The suspect is expected to appear in court soon.