A twenty-four-year-old South African police constable, Austin Luciano Reynold, has been found guilty for killing a Nigerian Ebuka Okoli in Durban, Kwa Zulu Natal.
Reynold is accused of killing Okoli by shooting him at close range and robbing him during an unauthorised raid on the community where he resides.
He is charged with one count of murder and three counts of robbery.
Appearing before Judge Shyam Gyanda on Friday, the accused was found guilty on all charges.
The tide turned on him when his accomplice in the raid, Brinley Pallo turned state witness.
Reynold’s sentencing was therefore scheduled for Monday, December 2, 2019. He faces at least 15 years in jail.
Minister of Trade and Investment, Nigerian Consulate General, Johannesburg, Bello Sambo in reaction to the judgement said, “we have been keen about this case which has been going on and we have been following for the past one year.”
He also stressed that all the Nigerian government want is for justice to be done.
Also in reaction, Chairman, Nigerian Citizens Association (KwaZulu Natal)n hailed the judgement and said they look forward to more of such judgements.
The accused accomplice, Pallo, who is now turned state witness said he decided to be on the side of the state government because he wanted justice to be served.
