KwaZulu-Natal – A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday evening near Port Shepstone, leaving one police officer dead and another injured after a friendly fire incident during a domestic violence operation. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is currently investigating the case, focusing on charges of culpable homicide and negligent discharge of a firearm.
The incident occurred around 10 pm, when members of the Public Order Police (POP) and the Port Shepstone K-9 Unit responded to a complaint about a domestic dispute. According to IPID spokesperson Pheladi Shuping, six POP members and two K-9 unit members were involved in the operation to locate the alleged perpetrator.
“It is alleged that when police officers were busy with the tactical move to subdue the person allegedly involved in a domestic violence issue, a stun grenade was placed inside the one room, and one police officer allegedly thought that they were under attack,” Ms Shuping explained. “The officer opened fire, but accidentally shot two of her colleagues. One police officer was shot and killed, and the other was injured and taken to the hospital.”
Ms Shuping confirmed that IPID is now investigating the incident thoroughly, aiming to establish the full sequence of events leading to the tragic outcome. The investigation will focus on determining whether the actions of the officer who fired the weapon constituted culpable homicide and negligent discharge of a firearm.
The incident has prompted a response from Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who expressed his deepest condolences to the families and colleagues of the affected officers. In a statement, Minister Mchunu conveyed his sorrow and offered support to those impacted by the tragedy.
“Our thoughts are especially with the family of the Public Order Police member who lost his life in this unfortunate event. We also send our prayers 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,” the Minister stated.
Minister Mchunu emphasised the importance of thorough investigations to provide clarity and closure to the families of the victims and to prevent similar occurrences in the future. He called for a swift and comprehensive investigation by IPID.
“We call 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,” Minister Mchunu added. The Minister’s statement highlights the need for enhanced training and stricter adherence to safety protocols within the police force to minimise the risk of such incidents.
