THE Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is investigating the death of a man after he was shot by a police officer in Bhomela on Thursday. Police spokesperson, Captain Gerald Mfeka confirmed that the man was shot in the chest, arm and head.
“The case is being investigated by the Independent Police Investigation Directorate and no arrests have been made,” said Mfeka. It’s alleged that the man was a suspect in the robbery of a tuck shop in the area.
“An armed robber died at about 1pm after police responded to a business robbery where a tuck-shop owner had been held up by three men,” said Mfeka.
Mfeka said the men fled taking cash and cellphones.. He said community members pointed out the suspect who had run into a bushy area.
Police then chased after him and when they got closer, the police confronted one of the robbers, who was armed with a knife. “When the suspect was ordered to drop the knife, he refused and attacked one of the policemen, who then shot him,” said Mfeka.
The man was airlifted by KZN Emergency Medical Services.
KZN EMS spokesperson Rob McKenzie said paramedics arrived at the scene in a helicopter due to the inaccessibility of the area.
“The 30-year old patient had to be airlifted to Port Shepstone Regional Hospital due his condition and the inaccessible area where the incident occurred. He later died in hospital,” said McKenzie.
IPID spokesperson Moses Dlamini was contacted for comment, but none had been received at the time of going to press.
