Mvokos family begin funeral preparations THE family of Eastern Cape criminal Sakhumzi Mvoko have started preparing for his funeral after he was killed in a shootout with police at the Mthatha High Court on Wednesday. Friends, family and colleagues of Mvokos mother, paramedic Phumla Madikizela, gathered at the family home in Zimbane to comfort her. An unhappy Madikizela said she had learnt about her eldest sons death through the media. Her friend and family spokeswoman, Jenipher Jennings, said: There is nothing more to say. We will bury him with the dignity and respect he deserves like any other child born of a woman. A date is yet to be set funeral. A court security guard, who witnessed the dramatic shooting of Mvoko and fellow prisoner Yandisa Bila, said Bila had shouted at the prison warder in front of him to go for the down after Bila grabbed a from a dustbin at the court. He said it had been hidden in a KFC packet. The guard, who asked not to be named, said it was Bila who disarmed the officer. Bila then threw the officers firearm to Mvoko. Court was delayed for about two hours yesterday morning as judges met to discuss security measures there. The deputy president of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers, Mvuzo Notyesi, said lax security was a matter of concern. Such incidents seem to be perpetuating themselves without security being attended to. This threatens the very functioning of the court and safety of members of the public, said Notyesi. The regional commissioner of the department of correctional services in the Eastern Cape, Nkosinati Breakfast, said they had drawn gun lessons from the incident. We have to ensure that the court environment is searched before high-profile inmates leave our vehicles. In future, inmates will also not be allowed to carry anything, he said. The prison warden injured during the shootout was not critical and was recovering at an undisclosed hospital in KwaZulu-Natal. The shooting has irked the Transkei Society of Advocates. Government departments are dragging their feet on beefing up the security, said advocate Vusumzi Msiwa. Justice and Correctional Services spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said meetings would be held to discuss improving security. Were working tirelessly to ensure that scanners are installed at the main entrance of the building, he said. By LOYISO MPALANTSHANE and LULAMILE FENI on September 12, 2014
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 07:41:45 +0000
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