By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MPAKA: A soldier who was walking in the streets of Mpaka with his friends in the early hours on Sunday morning was shot and killed by the police on suspicion that he bombed an Automatic Teller Machine(ATM).

It has been disclosed that the soldier was from a drinking spree with his friends, however, police found them walking next to an ATM that was bombed last night and opened fire.

Sergeant Cebile ‘Cece’ Shongwe of the Police Union comfirmed the shooting adding that the identity of the police officer who shot and killed the citizens was being verified with the relevant Police Station.

“It’s true, the police found people walking next to an ATM and opened fire, a soldier is among those who later died in hospital,” she said.

Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, the Police Spokesperson had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

Insiders within the police service told this publication that one of the police officers who killed the citizens has been identified as Dludlu, however, the identity of other police officers who responded to scene and opened fire is being verified.

Ncobile Dlamini, a resident of the area who rushed to the scene after the shooting said among those who were killed are children who were passing-by.

“They were killed merely for being next to the ATM exhibits, actually they walking, passing through,” said the resident.