Kuilsriver shootout – allegations of trigger happy cops concerning | Western Cape Government

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Kuilsriver shootout – allegations of trigger happy cops concerning

14 March 2016

Statement by Dan Plato, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety

I wish to extend my condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of those who have lost their lives during a shooting incident this morning in Kuilsriver.

It is reported that two restaurant employees have been killed and five injured when police allegedly opened fire on a vehicle they were being transported in.

The details of the incident are concerning and I trust the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) are already busy with a thorough investigation.

I am deeply concerned about what appears to be excessive use of force by the police where civilians are involved. This is the second incident in recent weeks where police apparently have opened fire on innocent people due to mistaken identity or involvement in separate incidents of crime.

There are too many questions arising from these incidents which cannot be left unanswered. As part of my oversight mandate over policing in the province I am requesting a full update by the Provincial South African Police Service (SAPS) management on what they are doing to avoid the loss of life, suspect or not, when intercepting and investigating criminal activities.

The use of excessive force and an attitude of ‘shoot to kill’ is a remnant of former national commissioner Bheki Cele’s reign over the police and contradictory to the institutional reform needed to ensure a professional, demilitarised policing service in South Africa.

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