AFTER more than five months behind bars, a Pietermaritzburg man accused of killing a police officer in an alleged road rage attack was released on bail.
Asad Haniff Ramjan, 29, an employee at a gun shop in Pietermaritzburg, allegedly shot Constable Thabani Gwala during an altercation. The incident occured on Oribi Road, Pietermaritzburg, on November 13.
Constable Gwala, 35, of KwaSwayimane, was a member of the Public Order Policing Unit based at the Alexandra Police Station. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene.
Ramjan was arrested and thereafter charged with murder. He appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday where he was released on R10 000 bail. The matter has been adjourned to May.
According to a police source, it had been alleged that Gwala, who was off-duty at the time, was travelling in a VW Polo and Ramjan in a Toyota Run-X when the incident happened.
The source alleged it was a road rage incident and at some point, both men jumped off their respective vehicles and a physical fight ensued.
“It has been alleged that during the fight, Constable Gwala overpowered Ramjan. However, Ramjan allegedly drew his firearm and shot Constable Gwala several times,” said the source.