Emmanuel Tshabalala to be prosecuted for mistakenly killing his son

24 July 2018 - 11:01
By Tankiso Makhetha
Emanuel Tshabalala, 51, shot and killed his son after mistaking him for a hijacker at a school in Ennerdale, Johannesburg.
Image: Tankiso Makhetha Emanuel Tshabalala, 51, shot and killed his son after mistaking him for a hijacker at a school in Ennerdale, Johannesburg.

The father who shot and killed his teenage son, apparently by mistake, will be prosecuted for his death. 

Emmanuel Tshabalala shot his son, Luyanda Tshabalala, on the premises of Fred Norman Secondary School in Ennerdale, south of Johannesburg, on June 5. 

This was after Tshabalala dropped off Luyanda at the school for evening classes before he fell asleep in the car. 

In an affidavit he deposed to the court during his formal bail application, Tshabalala claimed that he shot his son after mistaking him for a hijacker as Luyanda attempted to wake him up. 

Tshabalala appeared briefly in the Lenasia Magistrate Court where he has been charged with his son’s murder. 

Prosecutor Tumi Maunye told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has decided to proceed with the matter in the South Gauteng High Court. 

“We are yet to finalise the investigations as we are waiting for the ballistic report and photographs from the scene. I have also attached a letter from the DPP indicating that the matter will be transferred to the High Court,” Maunye said. 

Magistrate Maggie Van Der Merwe postponed the matter to September 4, for further investigation.