The Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu has sent his condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the officers involved in a tragic incident on the South Coast of KwaZulu Natal on Sunday night.
In a brief statement, Mchunu said the incident occurred when eight officers from the Public Order Police and the Port Shepstone K-9 unit responded to an alleged domestic violence matter.
"In the course of a tactical maneuver, a stun grenade was deployed in one of the rooms. Tragically, a misinterpretation of the situation led a female officer to believe her team was under attack, resulting in her discharging an R-5 rifle, which led to the death of a colleague and injuries to another," says Mchunu.
"Our thoughts are especially with the family of the Public Order Police member who lost his life in this unfortunate event. We also pray for the full recovery of the K-9 Unit member who sustained injuries. We remain committed to supporting those impacted by this tragedy and will do everything possible to ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future."
Mchunu also called for caution in the execution of operations by members of the police.
"We have been informed by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) that a full investigation is underway to understand the circumstances surrounding this incident. This investigation is essential in ensuring accountability and learning valuable lessons to prevent similar tragedies in the future."
Mchunu called on all law enforcement teams to exercise utmost caution in planning and executing operations, particularly those involving high-risk situations.
"It is vital to reinforce protocols, ensure clear communication, and employ the highest standards of safety to protect both our officers and the communities they serve."
