Just In: South African Police Officer Found Guilty Of Killing Nigerian

Justice Shyam Gyanda has found twenty-four-year-old South African police constable, Austin Luciano Reynold guilty of killing a Nigerian Ebuka Okoli in Durban, Kwa Zulu Natal.

Constable Reynold who shot the Nigerian man at close range during an unauthorized raid was charged of murder and three charges of robbery, the accused was found guilty on all four charges.

Appearing before Judge Shyam Gyanda on Friday, constable Reynold was surprised that the had tide turned on him when his accomplice in the raid turned state witness.

Meanwhile, in an interview in August, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), told TheCable that eight policemen were on trial in South Africa for their alleged role in the killing of Nigerian citizens.

“So, we are dealing with three things. There are xenophobic attacks in South Africa – it is there. There is a high rate of crime in South Africa – it is there. 20,000 murders per annum,” she said.

“And then there is a case of our Nigerians – gangs and drug wars – killing one another. But what we are saying to South Africa is that no matter the circumstances, our people need to be protected. We are getting to a tipping point where we cannot tolerate any more killings of Nigerians in South Africa.

“And then we have eight South African policemen currently in court, being investigated for their alleged involvement in killings and maltreatment of Nigerians, and the case is being monitored by the high commission in South Africa; Godwin Adama is the consul general.

“So, what we are saying is this, like the case of those eight policemen, it has to be concluded.”