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The Independent Police Investigative Directorate says it has noted the increasing number of criminal suspects who have been killed in shootouts with the police.
This was after nine suspects were killed in a gun battle with the police in Marianhill, west of Durban, and six more in another shootout with police in Mpumalanga, over the past few days.
IPID’s Phaladi Shuping, said they have already started investigations into these incidents.
“The law allows the police to defend themselves and community members if they are faced with violent situations.
“But we, however, are aware of an increasing number of suspects that are allegedly killed in the shootout with the police,” he said.
Shuping said the IPID Act mandates the body to investigate all cases of death as a result of police actions, and discharge of an official firearm by any police officer.
He said they have now observed an “increase in the number of these cases.”
Shuping said this increase has an impact on the speedy finalisation of investigations because the more cases that are reported, the longer it takes to conclude.
