What happened to Dumisani Joxo
Unbeknown to me I was standing on the spot where Dumisani
Joxo died. The spot where he fell after been shot by a twenty two old cop. Even
as we were led down the path next to the railway line and over the river the overarching
question was how did this all happen here and why did it all happen so fast.
To get to the site one has to cross the river bridge and
walk down a pathway and along the railway line. The spot is halfway down the
lane that is a dead end. The nearest flats overlooking the lane is about twenty
to thirty meters away. There are gaps in the metal palisade fence that one can
walk through to either cross the railway tracks or get out of the alley. We
were told by a Clicks employee that the little community has been there for a
long time and that Dumisani and the little group was very well known in the
area. He described them as a peaceful and quite group that never caused any
disturbance and Dumisani was known for keeping the peace in the area and worked
as a car guard at the parking lot. The little pamphlet given out describes
Dumisani as the “leader and father” of the little Chester Road community. He had
a nickname “jukebox Dumi”. His brother described him as a peaceful man that
never troubled anyone.
The events as they unfolded on Sunday morning were related
to us by Dumisani’s friend. The young man, Chris, made the fire to make
something to eat. The officer appeared and proceeded to act against the group,
telling them they were not allowed to make fires there. Confrontation ensued
and the officer apparently kicked over the pot on the fire. From then on things
escalated and the gun was drawn. A shot was heard and and Dumisani was hit in
the face and died almost instantly.
All of the above is important as there are many questions.
Who laid the complaint that caused that LEAP officer/s to
come into that lane across the river next to the railway line. Was there a
complaint. Was he alone. If not where is his partner. One “report” says he/they
were on “routine patrol”, checking on the group. Why. Were they been humane and
wanting to help or were they seeking/hoping for a confrontation. After all.
They are “trained to uphold the law”.
What led him to draw his gun. Did he feel threatened or was
it meant to be a show of force and authority.
According to JPS in his interview this morning on Cape Talk,
he claims that these officers are sufficiently trained to deal with all
situations, which I would imagine includes how and when to use a weapon. The challenge
we have is there is a lot we don’t know. The questions I have is what are the
requirements that need to be met in order to be a LEAP officer. Are aptitude
tests done. Are character analysis done to see whether they are fit to do the
job, both physically and mentally. Are background checks done to show whether
there is any background of violence in their families etc. this is after all
not an ordinary job. According to the city’s website the primary function of
the officers is uphold the law in crime ridden areas. It would thus seem that everyone
they encounter is first and foremost a criminal. They are seemingly not trained
to protect and serve.
In my mind and after having been in the lane this morning and hearing the witness account I feel strongly there had to be another way out. The officer was not trained to seek a peaceful solution, a nonviolent alternative. Dumisani Joxo would be alive if he was.
These people may not have homes or a roof to sleep under. They
are still people. They bleed like us. They feel pain like us. They showed raw
emotion for someone they loved this morning. Just like we would. “There but for
fortune go I”. The longer the city treats them like criminals, the more tragedies
like this will play out. It was telling that the city was absent this morning.
In my mind it would have been human just to show support to Dumi’s family. But
been human is not easy, especially when you are dealing with a scourge that
needs to be eliminated at all costs.
There is every chance this will happen again. Of that I am
certain.
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