SA army kills man in self-defence
2008-05-24 10:58
Johannesburg - A man was shot and killed in Springs after he pointed a firearm at a member of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF), the defence department said on Saturday.
The incident took place on Friday night after the army was providing back-up to the police during cordon and search operations in Gugulethu, Springs, on the East Rand.
Some army members saw a man assaulting a woman and approached the scene. The man then pointed a firearm at a member of the army, who shot back in self-defence.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the gun the man was using was stolen in a robbery in Springs in October 2004.
Earlier, this week, president Thabo Mbeki gave the nod for the SANDF's involvement in the fight to the stop attacks on foreigners in the Gauteng province.
On Saturday, the defence department said any loss of life was regretted. It said: "The SA (police service), supported by the SANDF are working tirelessly to restore order in all areas of Gauteng."
- SAPA