Shooting of Nathaniel Julies

Nathaniel “Lockie” Julies, a 16 year-old boy with down syndrome, was fatally shot allegedly by South African Police Service (SAPS) officers Sergeant Simon ‘Scorpion’ Ndyalvane and Constable Caylene Whiteboy[4][5] on the 26 August 2020.[1] A third suspect, Detective Voster Netshiongolo, involved in the shooting appeared before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.[6] Julies was shot meters away from his home in the Eldorado Park area of Johannesburg.[7]

Shooting of Nathaniel Julies
DateAugust 26, 2020 (2020-08-26)
LocationEldorado Park, Gauteng
South Africa
Coordinates26.292426°S 27.89789°E / -26.292426; 27.89789,
TypeShooting
TargetRobbery pursuit[1]
Gang violence[2]
(unclear)
Arrests3[3]

Incident

It was initially reported by Gauteng premier David Makhura that Julies was killed in crossfire between police and gang members.[8][2]

The Julies family have stated that he was at a local tuck shop buying biscuits when the shooting occurred.[8] Officers allegedly involved in the shooting stated that Julies was shot after allegedly failing to respond to police questioning.[8] Media reports stated that Julies died before reaching hospital.[8]

Witness accounts

An unidentified family member told the media that after purchasing two packs of biscuits he joined other nearby children in front of the Hillbrow flats where the police first approached him.[8]

Julies father stated that Julies was approached by police officers who tried to question him. The officers were unable to understand Julies due to his down syndrome and so moved on to questioning another person nearby.[1] After officers had finished questioning and searching the second person nearby officer Ndyalvane got out from a vehicle and shot Julies close range with a shotgun.[1] The force of the shot propelled Julies' body under a truck. Shortly after the shooting police dragged his body out from under the truck and removed it from the scene.[1]

Eye witnesses stated that there was no gang presence in the area.[2]

Aftermath

The shooting resulted in violent protest action in the Eldorado Park area[1] with two SAPS officers and one Johannesburg Metro Police officer injured[9] amidst threats by the community to burn down the local police station.[10] A petition calling for the prosecution of those involved in the fatal shooting was signed by over 120,000 people.[11] The incident highlighted long running community grievances with the way the local police station is run.[1] Minister of Police Bheki Cele said that the actions of the officers implicated in Julies' death were "uncalled for".[7] Eldorado Park community members criticised the EFF for trying to politicise the event and "disrespecting" the funeral procession.[10][12]

A tweet from American musician Solange Knowles increased awareness of the incident outside of South Africa. Mentioning Julies death along with the death of Oluwatoyin Salau and shooting by police of Breonna Taylor.[8]

At the time Julies was the second child to have been killed by police action in South Africa within the past month.[1] The investigative journalism organisation, Viewfinder, found that 39 children died in police custody or due to police action between April 2012 and March 2018 and that very few officers where held accountable for the deaths.[13]

References
  1. Simelane, Bheki; Mohammed, Shiraaz (August 28, 2020). "Eldorado Park Shooting: Community protests after boy with down syndrome allegedly shot by police". Daily Maverick. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  2. "Nathaniel Julies should be enjoying spring today but instead his loved ones will attend his funeral". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  3. Simelane, Bheki C. (September 6, 2020). "NATHANIEL JULIES : Grieving family, friends and Eldorado Park community bid farewell to slain teen". Daily Maverick. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  4. Simelane, Bheki C. (August 31, 2020). "POLICE CHARGED: Nathaniel Julies killing: State will oppose bail for two accused police officers". Daily Maverick. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  5. "LOOK: These are the two police officers accused of Nathaniel Julies murder". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  6. "Three accused policemen in Nathaniel Julies case to appear in court together next week". www.msn.com. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  7. News, Eyewitness. "Cele: Actions of officers accused of Nathaniel Julies' murder uncalled for". ewn.co.za. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  8. "Justice for Natheniël Julies: what you need to know about the teen's death". TimesLIVE. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  9. "Nathaniel Julies mom: It was like they were killing a dog". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  10. Simelane, Bheki C. (September 6, 2020). "NATHANIEL JULIES : Grieving family, friends and Eldorado Park community bid farewell to slain teen". Daily Maverick. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  11. "Thousands demand justice for Nathaniel Julies in online petition". TimesLIVE. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  12. reporter, Citizen. "WATCH: EFF supporters argue with mourners at Nathaniel Julies' funeral". The Citizen. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  13. Knoetze, Daneel (September 7, 2020). "Police are not being held accountable for child killings, watchdog records reveal". GroundUp News. Retrieved September 11, 2020.


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