A Bloemfontein-based police officer of a VIP Protection Unit will appear in court on Thursday (2/11).

Vusimuzi Matthews Makhaza (49) faces charges of attempted murder after discharging a firearm in a public space. He was arrested on Thursday, 28 September and made a brief appearance in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Monday, 2 October. 

He was released on bail with a warning. Makhaza’s arrest emanated from a fight with a fellow patron at a tavern in Kagisanong, Bloemfontein, on 16 September after he was allegedly hit with a beer bottle on the ear and sustained an injury.

He then allegedly went to the place of residence of the person who attacked him to take revenge a week later. The girlfriend answered the door with a nine-month-old baby in her arms. She quickly closed the door and locked it when she saw the police officer with his firearm. 

The police officer allegedly discharged his firearm and hit the door in an attempt to get access to the house. The police were called and arrived at the scene after the officer left.

The National Independent Police Investigating Directorate's (IPID) spokesperson, Robbie Raburabu, said IPID learned of the incident two days after it happened and they conducted preliminary investigations, which led to the arrest of the police officer.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi Corné