Mfuleni community leaders have expressed their shock at a shooting incident at the local police station on Sunday April 15 in which it is alleged that a Metro police officer shot and killed an unknown man with his service pistol.
The man allegedly stabbed the officer twice in the chest and in his left arm. In retaliation, the officer pulled out his service pistol and shot and killed the man. The officer was busy assisting someone when this man demanded to be arrested. Before the officer could attend to him, he allegedly attacked the officer with a knife. JP Smith, the mayoral committee for safety and security, said the officer had been registering a docket when the incident occurred. He said the officer was approached by the man who seemed agitated and demanded to be arrested. But the officer was still busy when the man demanded to be arrested. He said the man turned to the officer and stabbed him.
Mr Smith said the officer then retaliated by discharging three rounds from his service pistol, killing the victim.
He said two other civilians sustained injuries to their feet as a result of ricocheting bullets.
Community leader Thembile George described the attack on the officer as senseless. He said if a police officer could be attacked inside the station it meant they were no longer treated with the respect they deserve.
Mr George said police officers should not serve in the areas they lived in to ensure their safety. He also believes the community is not doing enough to assist police officers in the fight against crime. “The crime rate is high in Mfuleni, which used to be quiet and safe, but now things have changed. The strange thing is that these attacks occur in the daylight,” he said.
Captain Nomathemba Muavha, Mfuleni police spokesperson, said police are investigating an attempted murder case, while the Independent Police Investigative Directorate ( IPID) has opened an inquest.
She said the identity of the deceased is still unknown.
