Bail denied for National Traffic Police officers charged with killing Nigerian national
Four National Traffic Police officers are facing a murder charge following the fatal shooting of Nigerian national Osinakachukwu Macus Onu on the N12 in Klerksdorp.
Image: David Ritchie
Four National Traffic Police officers charged with the murder of Nigerian national Osinakachukwu Macus Onu have appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, where bail was denied.
According to North West police spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh, the officers were arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Onu, 37, on the N12 in Klerksdorp in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The accused police officers have been identified as Inspector Rudolph Foromo, 29; Inspector Smanga Dladla, 31; Inspector Colani Senzo Dlamini, 34, and Inspector Vusumuzi Justice Simelane, 36.
They face a charge of murder following an incident in which Onu was allegedly shot during a traffic operation on the N12. His vehicle was later found stalled in the middle of the road on the opposite side of the highway.
The court denied the four officers bail. They are expected to return to the Klerksdorp Magistrate's Court on Friday, 19 December 2025.
Earlier on Thursday, IOL reported that the four traffic police officers have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of the Nigerian national.
The officers were arrested by Klerksdorp detectives on charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice following the death of 37-year-old Onu.
It is alleged that the deceased, who was reportedly legally in South Africa, was chased by four traffic officers while they were conducting operations.
Police said they were alerted to the incident and responded to the scene, where they discovered that the traffic officers involved had already left. Preliminary investigations led detectives to a location in Klerksdorp, where the suspects were traced.
The officers’ official firearms were seized and will undergo forensic ballistic analysis as part of the investigation.
Meanwhile, North West acting provincial commissioner, Major General Ryno Naidoo, has welcomed the arrests and commended Klerksdorp detectives for what he described as a swift and effective response.
He also thanked members of the public who assisted police with information that led to the arrests, and urged communities to continue working with law enforcement to help resolve crime.
Police said investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shooting are continuing.
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IOL News